Application for device evaluation and other processes associated with device recycling

ABSTRACT

Software application systems and associated methods for recycling, purchasing, and/or performing other processes with mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, and/or other electronic devices at a kiosk are described herein. In various embodiments, the present technology includes systems and methods associated with an electronic device to facilitate a consumer-operated kiosk processing (e.g., purchasing) the electronic device. In some embodiments, the present technology includes using a mobile app to identify an electronic device, evaluate the electronic device, resolve device issues to enable purchase of the electronic device, etc. Various other aspects of the present technology are described herein.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No.62/059,132, titled “APPLICATION FOR DEVICE EVALUATION AND OTHERPROCESSES ASSOCIATED WITH DEVICE RECYCLING,” filed by the applicant onOct. 2, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed generally to methods and systems forevaluating and recycling mobile phones and other consumer devices and,more particularly, to software applications for facilitatingidentification, evaluation, purchase, and/or other processes associatedwith electronic device recycling.

BACKGROUND

Consumer electronic devices, such as mobile phones, laptop computers,notebooks, tablets, MP3 players, etc., are ubiquitous. Currently thereare over 6 billion mobile devices in use in the world; and the number ofthese devices is growing rapidly with more than 1.8 billion mobilephones being sold in 2013 alone. By 2017 it is expected that there willbe more mobile devices in use than there are people on the planet. Inaddition to mobile phones, over 300 million desk-based and notebookcomputers shipped in 2013, and for the first time the number of tabletcomputers shipped exceeded laptops. Part of the reason for the rapidgrowth in the number of mobile phones and other electronic devices isthe rapid pace at which these devices evolve, and the increased usage ofsuch devices in third world countries.

As a result of the rapid pace of development, a relatively highpercentage of electronic devices are replaced every year as consumerscontinually upgrade their mobile phones and other electronic devices toobtain the latest features or a better operating plan. According to theU.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. alone disposes of over370 million mobile phones, PDAs, tablets, and other electronic devicesevery year. Millions of other outdated or broken mobile phones and otherelectronic devices are simply tossed into junk drawers or otherwise keptuntil a suitable disposal solution arises.

Although many electronic device retailers and cell carrier stores nowoffer mobile phone trade-in or buyback programs, many old mobile phonesstill end up in landfills or are improperly disassembled and disposed ofin developing countries. Unfortunately, however, mobile phones andsimilar devices typically contain substances that can be harmful to theenvironment, such as arsenic, lithium, cadmium, copper, lead, mercuryand zinc. If not properly disposed of, these toxic substances can seepinto groundwater from decomposing landfills and contaminate the soilwith potentiality harmful consequences for humans and the environment.

As an alternative to retailer trade-in or buyback programs, consumerscan now recycle and/or sell their used mobile phones using self-servicekiosks located in malls, retail stores, or other publically accessibleareas. Such kiosks are operated by ecoATM, Inc., the assignee of thepresent application, and are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos.8,463,646, 8,423,404, 8,239,262, 8,200,533, 8,195,511, and 7,881,965,which are commonly owned by ecoATM, Inc. and are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

There continues to be a need for improving the means available toconsumers for recycling or reselling their mobile phones and otherelectronic devices. Simplifying the recycling/reselling process,enhancing the consumer experience, and discouraging fraud canincentivize consumers to dispose of their old electronic devices in anefficient and environmentally conscientious way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a machine configured in accordance withan embodiment of the present technology for recycling electronicdevices.

FIGS. 2A-2D are a series of isometric views of the machine of FIG. 1with a number of exterior panels removed to illustrate operation of themachine in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating various components associatedwith the machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a suitable distributed computingenvironment for implementing various aspects of the present technology.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a routine for pricing an electronic devicefor recycling in accordance with embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a routine for purchasing an electronicdevice at a kiosk in accordance with embodiments of the presenttechnology.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are display diagrams illustrating screen displays orgraphical user interfaces associated with determining an offer price foran electronic device in accordance with embodiments of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a routine for obtaining information about anelectronic device in accordance with embodiments of the presenttechnology.

FIGS. 9A-9D are a series of display diagrams illustrating screendisplays associated with identifying an electronic device in accordancewith embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a routine for preparing an electronicdevice for recycling in accordance with embodiments of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a routine for determining an offer pricefor an electronic device subject to remote device control in accordancewith embodiments of the present technology.

FIGS. 12A-12C are a series of display diagrams illustrating screendisplays associated with disabling a remote device control feature inaccordance with embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of a routine for preparing an electronicdevice for recycling in accordance with embodiments of the presenttechnology.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are display diagrams illustrating screen displaysassociated with guiding a user to an electronic device recycling kioskin accordance with embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of a routine for notifying a user of a changein device value in accordance with embodiments of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of a routine for providing a location-basednotification in accordance with embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of a routine for transmitting informationabout an electronic device from the electronic device to a kiosk inaccordance with embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram of a routine for remotely pricing anelectronic device for recycling in accordance with embodiments of thepresent technology.

FIG. 19 is a flow diagram of a routine for accommodating useraccessibility needs in accordance with embodiments of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 20 is a flow diagram of a routine for determining whether anelectronic device has been properly received by a kiosk in accordancewith embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 21 is a flow diagram of a routine for facilitating evaluation of anelectronic device at a kiosk in accordance with embodiments of thepresent technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure describes various embodiments of softwareapplication (“app”) systems and methods for mobile phones and/or otherelectronic devices to facilitate identification, evaluation, purchase,and/or other processes associated with recycling electronic devices. Invarious embodiments, for example, the app enables a device owner toaccurately assess the condition and secondhand or resale market value ofhis or her mobile phone and/or other electronic devices. It allows thedevice owner to maintain awareness of the market value of his or herelectronic devices with minimal user input, building certainty so thatthe user can have a quick and predictable experience selling his or herelectronic devices at a recycling kiosk. The app can inform users of thevalues of their electronic devices, guide users to the locations ofrecycling kiosks, and offer incentives to motivate the users to recycletheir electronic devices at the kiosk. In addition, the app can alertusers to changes in the values of their electronic devices and can helpa user prepare his or her electronic devices for selling and recycling,such as by backing up the user's data and turning off a remote devicecontrol feature. At a recycling kiosk, the app can provide an assistiveinterface for the user, and can use information collected prior to theuser's arrival at the kiosk to facilitate kiosk recognition of the userand/or the electronic device and quickly provide the user with a price,e.g., a previously agreed price for the electronic device.

Certain details are set forth in the following description and in FIGS.1-21 to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of thepresent technology. In other instances, well-known structures,materials, operations and/or systems often associated with smartphonesand other handheld devices, consumer electronic devices, computerhardware, software, and network systems, etc. are not shown or describedin detail in the following disclosure to avoid unnecessarily obscuringthe description of the various embodiments of the present technology.Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, however, that thepresent technology can be practiced without one or more of the detailsset forth herein, or with other structures, methods, components, and soforth.

The terminology used below is to be interpreted in its broadestreasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with adetailed description of certain examples of embodiments of the presenttechnology. Indeed, certain terms may even be emphasized below; however,any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner willbe specifically defined as such in this Detailed Description section.

The accompanying Figures depict embodiments of the present technologyand are not intended to be limiting of its scope. The sizes of variousdepicted elements are not necessarily drawn to scale, and these variouselements may be arbitrarily enlarged to improve legibility. Componentdetails may be abstracted in the Figures to exclude details such asposition of components and certain precise connections between suchcomponents when such details are unnecessary for a completeunderstanding of how to make and use the invention.

In the Figures, identical reference numbers identify identical, or atleast generally similar, elements. To facilitate the discussion of anyparticular element, the most significant digit or digits of anyreference number refers to the Figure in which that element is firstintroduced. For example, element 110 is first introduced and discussedwith reference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a kiosk 100 for recycling and/or otherprocessing of mobile phones and other consumer electronic devices inaccordance with the present technology. The term “processing” is usedherein for ease of reference to generally refer to all manner ofservices and operations that may be performed or facilitated by thekiosk 100 on, with, or otherwise in relation to an electronic device.Such services and operations can include, for example, selling,reselling, recycling, donating, exchanging, identifying, evaluating,pricing, auctioning, decommissioning, transferring data from or to,reconfiguring, refurbishing, etc. mobile phones and other electronicdevices. The term “recycling” is used herein for ease of reference togenerally refer to selling and/or purchasing, reselling, exchanging,donating and/or receiving, etc. electronic devices. For example, ownersmay elect to sell their used electronic devices at the kiosk 100, andthe electronic devices can be recycled for resale, reconditioning,repair, recovery of salvageable components, environmentally consciousdisposal, etc. Although many embodiments of the present technology aredescribed herein in the context of mobile phones, aspects of the presenttechnology are not limited to mobile phones and generally apply to otherconsumer electronic devices. Such devices include, as non-limitingexamples, all manner of mobile phones; smartphones; handheld devices;personal digital assistants (PDAs); MP3 or other digital music players;tablet, notebook, ultrabook and laptop computers; e-readers all types ofcameras GPS devices; set-top boxes; universal remote controls; wearablecomputers; etc. In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the kiosk100 can facilitate selling and/or otherwise processing larger consumerelectronic devices, such as desktop computers, TVs, game consoles, etc.,as well smaller electronic devices such as Google® Glass™, smartwatches(e.g., the Apple Watch™, Android Wear™ devices such as the Moto 360®, orthe Pebble Steel™ watch), etc. The kiosk 100 and various featuresthereof can be at least generally similar in structure and function tothe kiosks and corresponding features described in U.S. Pat. Nos.8,463,646, 8,423,404, 8,239,262, 8,200,533, 8,195,511, and 7,881,965;and in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/573,089, 12/727,624,13/113,497, 12/785,465, 13/017,560, 13/438,924, 13/753,539, 13/658,825,13/733,984, 13/705,252, 13/487,299 13/492,835, 13/562,292, 13/658,828,13/693,032, 13/792,030, 13/794,814, 13/794,816, 13/862,395 and13/913,408. The disclosed technology also includes the disclosures ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/498,763, titled “METHODS AND SYSTEMSFOR PRICING AND PERFORMING OTHER PROCESSES ASSOCIATED WITH RECYCLINGMOBILE PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES,” filed by the applicant onSep. 26, 2014; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/500,739, titled“MAINTAINING SETS OF CABLE COMPONENTS USED FOR WIRED ANALYSIS, CHARGING,OR OTHER INTERACTION WITH PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES,” filed by theapplicant on Sep. 29, 2014; U.S. provisional application No. 62/059,129,titled “WIRELESS-ENABLED KIOSK FOR RECYCLING CONSUMER DEVICES,” filed bythe applicant on Oct. 2, 2014; U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/506,449, titled “SYSTEM FOR ELECTRICALLY TESTING MOBILE DEVICES AT ACONSUMER-OPERATED KIOSK, AND ASSOCIATED DEVICES AND METHODS,” filed bythe applicant on Oct. 3, 2014; U.S. provisional application No.62/073,840, titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECYCLING CONSUMERELECTRONIC DEVICES,” filed by the applicant on Oct. 31, 2014; U.S.provisional application No. 62/073,847, titled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FORFACILITATING PROCESSES ASSOCIATED WITH INSURANCE SERVICES AND/OR OTHERSERVICES FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES,” filed by the applicant on Oct. 31,2014; U.S. provisional application No. 62/076,437, titled “METHODS ANDSYSTEMS FOR EVALUATING AND RECYCLING ELECTRONIC DEVICES,” filed by theapplicant on Nov. 6, 2014; U.S. provisional application No. 62/090,855,titled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION REGARDINGCOUPONS/PROMOTIONS AT KIOSKS FOR RECYCLING MOBILE PHONES AND OTHERELECTRONIC DEVICES,” filed by the applicant on Dec. 11, 2014; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/568,051, titled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FORIDENTIFYING MOBILE PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES,” filed by theapplicant on Dec. 11, 2014; U.S. provisional application No. 62/091,426,titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECYCLING CONSUMER ELECTRONIC DEVICES,”filed by the applicant on Dec. 12, 2014; U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/598,469, titled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DYNAMIC PRICING ANDPERFORMING OTHER PROCESSES ASSOCIATED WITH RECYCLING MOBILE PHONES ANDOTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES,” filed by the applicant on Jan. 16, 2015; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/660,768, titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORINSPECTING MOBILE DEVICES AND OTHER CONSUMER ELECTRONIC DEVICES WITH ALASER,” filed by the applicant on Mar. 17, 2015; U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/663,331, titled “DEVICE RECYCLING SYSTEMS WITH FACIALRECOGNITION,” filed by the applicant on Mar. 19, 2015; U.S. provisionalapplication No. 62/169,072, titled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR VISUALLYEVALUATING ELECTRONIC DEVICES,” filed by the applicant on Jun. 1, 2015;U.S. provisional application No. 62/202,330, titled “METHODS AND SYSTEMSFOR INSPECTING MOBILE DEVICES AND OTHER CONSUMER ELECTRONIC DEVICES WITHROBOTIC ACTUATION,” filed by the applicant on Aug. 7, 2015; and U.S.provisional application No. 62/221,510, titled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FORINTERACTIONS WITH A SYSTEM FOR PURCHASING MOBILE PHONES AND OTHERELECTRONIC DEVICES,” filed by the applicant on Sep. 21, 2015. All of thepatents and patent applications listed in the preceding sentences arecommonly owned by the applicant of the present application, and theyalong with any other patents or patent applications identified hereinare incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

In the illustrated embodiment, the kiosk 100 is a floor-standingself-service kiosk configured for use by a user 101 (e.g., a consumer,customer, etc.) to recycle, sell, and/or perform other operations with amobile phone or other consumer electronic device. In other embodiments,the kiosk 100 can be configured for use on a countertop or a similarraised surface. Although the kiosk 100 is configured for use byconsumers, in various embodiments the kiosk 100 and/or various portionsthereof can also be used by other operators, such as a retail clerk orkiosk assistant to facilitate the selling or other processing of mobilephones and other electronic devices.

In the illustrated embodiment, the kiosk 100 includes a housing 102 thatis approximately the size of a conventional vending machine. The housing102 can be of conventional manufacture from, for example, sheet metal,plastic panels, etc. A plurality of user interface devices are providedon a front portion of the housing 102 for providing instructions andother information to users, and/or for receiving user inputs and otherinformation from users. For example, the kiosk 100 can include a displayscreen 104 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or light emitting diode(LED) display screen, a projected display (such as a heads-up display ora head-mounted device), and so on) for providing information, prompts,etc. to users. The display screen 104 can include a touch screen forreceiving user input and responses to displayed prompts. In addition oralternatively, the kiosk 100 can include a separate keyboard or keypadfor this purpose. The kiosk 100 can also include an ID reader or scanner112 (e.g., a driver's license scanner), a fingerprint reader 114, andone or more cameras 116 (e.g., digital still and/or video cameras,identified individually as cameras 116 a-c). The kiosk 100 canadditionally include output devices such as a label printer having anoutlet 110, and a cash dispenser having an outlet 118. Although notidentified in FIG. 1, the kiosk 100 can further include a speaker and/ora headphone jack for audibly communicating information to users, one ormore lights for visually communicating signals or other information tousers, a handset or microphone for receiving verbal input from the user,a card reader (e.g., a credit/debit card reader, loyalty card reader,etc.), a receipt or voucher printer and dispenser, as well as other userinput and output devices. The input devices may include a touchpad, apointing device such as a mouse, a joystick, pen, game pad, motionsensor, scanner, eye direction monitoring system, etc. Additionally thekiosk 100 can also include a bar code reader, QR code reader,bag/package dispenser, a digital signature pad, etc. In the illustratedembodiment, the kiosk 100 additionally includes a header 120 having adisplay screen 122 for displaying marketing advertisements and/or othervideo or graphical information to attract users to the kiosk 100. Inaddition to the user interface devices described above, the frontportion of the housing 102 also includes an access panel or door 106located directly beneath the display screen 104. As described in greaterdetail below, the access door is configured to automatically retract sothat the user 101 can place an electronic device (e.g., a mobile phone)in an inspection area 108 for automatic inspection by the kiosk 100.

A sidewall portion of the housing 102 can include a number ofconveniences to help users recycle or otherwise process their mobilephones. For example, in the illustrated embodiment the kiosk 100includes an accessory bin 128 that is configured to receive mobiledevice accessories that the user wishes to recycle or otherwise disposeof. Additionally, the kiosk 100 can provide a free charging station 126with a plurality of electrical connectors 124 for charging a widevariety of mobile phones and other consumer electronic devices.

FIGS. 2A-2D are a series of isometric views of the kiosk 100 with thehousing 102 removed to illustrate selected internal componentsconfigured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.Referring first to FIG. 2A, in the illustrated embodiment the kiosk 100includes a connector carrier 240 and an inspection plate 244 operablydisposed behind the access door 106 (FIG. 1). In the illustratedembodiment, the connector carrier 240 is a rotatable carrousel that isconfigured to rotate about a generally horizontal axis and carries aplurality of electrical connectors 242 (e.g., approximately 25connectors) distributed around an outer periphery thereof. In otherembodiments, other types of connector carrying devices (including bothfixed and movable arrangements) can be used. In some embodiments, theconnectors 242 can include a plurality of interchangeable USB connectorsconfigured to provide power and/or exchange data with a variety ofdifferent mobile phones and/or other electronic devices. In operation,the carrousel 240 is configured to automatically rotate about its axisto position an appropriate one of the connectors 242 adjacent to anelectronic device, such as a mobile phone 250, that has been placed onthe inspection plate 244 for recycling. The connector 242 can then bemanually and/or automatically withdrawn from the carousel 240 andconnected to a port on the mobile phone 250 for electrical analysis.Such analysis can include, e.g., an evaluation of make, model,configuration, condition, etc. using one or more of the methods and/orsystems described in detail in the commonly owned patents and patentapplications identified herein and incorporated by reference in theirentireties.

In the illustrated embodiment, the inspection plate 244 is configured totranslate back and forth (on, e.g., parallel mounting tracks) to move anelectronic device, such as the mobile phone 250, between a firstposition directly behind the access door 106 and a second positionbetween an upper chamber 230 and an opposing lower chamber 232.Moreover, in this embodiment the inspection plate 244 is transparent, orat least partially transparent (e.g., formed of glass, Plexiglas, etc.)to enable the mobile phone 250 to be photographed and/or otherwiseoptically evaluated from all, or at least most viewing angles (e.g.,top, bottom, sides, etc.) using, e.g., one or more cameras, mirrors,etc. mounted to or otherwise associated with the upper and lowerchambers 230 and 232. When the mobile phone 250 is in the secondposition, the upper chamber 230 can translate downwardly to generallyenclose the mobile phone 250 between the upper chamber 230 and the lowerchamber 232. The upper chamber 230 is operably coupled to a gate 238that moves up and down in unison with the upper chamber 230. As notedabove, in the illustrated embodiment the upper chamber 230 and/or thelower chamber 232 can include one or more cameras, magnification tools,scanners (e.g., bar code scanners, infrared scanners, etc.) or otherimaging components (not shown) and an arrangement of mirrors (also notshown) to view, photograph and/or otherwise visually evaluate the mobilephone 250 from multiple perspectives. In some embodiments, one or moreof the cameras and/or other imaging components discussed above can bemovable to facilitate device evaluation. The inspection area 108 canalso include weight scales, heat detectors, UV readers/detectors, andthe like for further evaluation of electronic devices placed therein.The kiosk 100 can further include an angled binning plate 236 fordirecting electronic devices from the transparent plate 244 into acollection bin 234 positioned in a lower portion of the kiosk 100.

The kiosk 100 can used in a number of different ways to efficientlyfacilitate the recycling, selling and/or other processing of mobilephones and other consumer electronic devices. Referring to FIGS. 1-2Dtogether, in some embodiments a user wishing to sell a used mobilephone, such as the mobile phone 250, approaches the kiosk 100 andidentifies the type of device the user wishes to sell in response toprompts on the display screen 104. Next, the user may be prompted toremove any cases, stickers, or other accessories from the device so thatit can be accurately evaluated. Additionally, the kiosk 100 may printand dispense a unique identification label (e.g., a smalladhesive-backed sticker with a QR code, barcode, etc.) from the labeloutlet 110 for the user to adhere to the back of the mobile phone 250.After this is done, the door 106 retracts allowing the user to place themobile phone 250 onto the transparent plate 244 in the inspection area108 (FIG. 2A). The door 106 then closes and the transparent plate 244moves the mobile phone 250 under the upper chamber 230 as shown in FIG.2B. The upper chamber 230 then moves downwardly to generally enclose themobile phone 250 between the upper and lower chambers 230 and 232, andthe cameras and/or other imaging components in the upper and lowerchambers 230 and 232 perform a visual inspection of the mobile phone250. In some embodiments, the visual inspection can include a 3D visualanalysis to confirm the identification of the mobile phone 250 (e.g.make and model) and/or to evaluate or assess the condition and/orfunction of the mobile phone 250 and/or its various components andsystems. For example, the visual analysis can include an inspection of adisplay screen on the mobile phone 250 for cracks or other damage. Insome embodiments, the visual inspection can include performing opticalcharacter recognition (OCR) to identify printed or displayed patterns,codes, and/or text, and comparing characteristics of the patterns,codes, and/or text (e.g., layout, size, font, color, etc.) to templatesto determine the presence of device identifiers such as a model number,serial number, etc. In some embodiments, the kiosk 100 can perform thevisual analysis using one or more of the methods and/or systemsdescribed in detail in the commonly owned patents and patentapplications identified herein and incorporated by reference in theirentireties.

Referring next to FIG. 2C, after the visual analysis is performed andthe device has been identified, the upper chamber 230 returns to itsupper position and the transparent plate 244 returns the mobile phone250 to its initial position next to the door 106. The display screen 104can also provide an estimated price or an estimated range of prices thatthe kiosk 100 may offer the user for the mobile phone 250 based on thevisual analysis and/or based on user input (e.g., input regarding thetype, condition, etc. of the mobile phone 250). If the user indicates(via, e.g., input via the touch screen) that he or she wishes to proceedwith the transaction, the carrousel 240 automatically rotates anappropriate one of the connectors 242 into position adjacent thetransparent plate 244, and door 106 is again opened. The user can thenbe instructed (via, e.g., the display screen 104) to withdraw theconnector 242 (and its associated wire) from the carrousel 240, plug theconnector 242 into the corresponding port (e.g., a USB port) on themobile phone 250, and reposition the mobile phone 250 in the inspectionarea on the transparent plate 244. After doing so, the door 106 onceagain closes and the kiosk 100 performs an electrical inspection of thedevice to further evaluate the condition of the phone as well asspecific component and operating parameters such as memory, carrier,etc. In some embodiments, the kiosk 100 can perform the electricalanalysis using one or more of the methods and/or systems described indetail in the commonly owned patents and patent applications identifiedherein and incorporated by reference in their entireties.

In some embodiments, the user can attach the electrical connector to themobile phone 250 and/or perform an electrical analysis of the devicebefore the kiosk 100 performs a visual analysis of the phone. Forexample, in such an embodiment the user can approach the kiosk 100 andidentify the type of device (e.g., the make and model) he or she wishesto recycle, and/or the appropriate electrical connector for connectingto the device. The kiosk 100 can then use this information to stage theappropriate electrical connector at the inspection area. Alternatively,the kiosk 100 can present the user with a selection of standardelectrical connectors from which the user can determine an appropriateelectrical connector for connecting to the device. Either way, the door106 retracts and the user is instructed to withdraw the selectedconnector 242 from the carrier 240, plug it into the corresponding port(e.g., a USB port) on the mobile phone 250, and position the mobilephone 250 on the transparent plate 244 in the inspection area. The usermay also be prompted to remove any cases, stickers, or other accessoriesfrom the mobile phone 250, and adhere a unique identification label tothe back of the mobile phone 250 as described above. The door 106 thencloses and the kiosk 100 can perform an electrical inspection of themobile phone 250 as described above, and after the electricalinspection, a visual inspection as described above. The electricalinspection can include gathering device identification informationand/or other information, which the kiosk 100 can then use to customizefurther interaction with the user, such as to add or omit user inquiriesdepending on the type of device the user connects. Thus, in someembodiments, electrical inspection of the mobile phone 250 can occurbefore the user provides information about the mobile phone 250 to thekiosk 100.

After the visual and electronic analysis of the mobile phone 250, theuser may be presented with a phone purchase price via the display screen104. If the user declines the price (via, e.g., the touch screen), aretraction mechanism (not shown) automatically disconnects the connector242 from the mobile phone 250, the door 106 opens, and the user canreach in and retrieve the mobile phone 250. If the user accepts theprice, the door 106 remains closed and the purchase transactionproceeds. For example, the user may be prompted to place his or heridentification (e.g., a driver's license) in the ID scanner 112 andprovide a thumbprint via the fingerprint reader 114. As a fraudprevention measure, the kiosk 100 can be configured to transmit an imageof the driver's license to a remote computer screen, and an operator atthe remote computer can visually compare the picture (and/or otherinformation) on the driver's license to the person standing in front ofthe kiosk 100 as viewed by one or more of the cameras 116 a-c (FIG. 1)to confirm that the person attempting to sell the mobile phone 250 is infact the person identified by the driver's license. In some embodiments,one or more of the cameras 116 a-c can be movable to facilitate viewingof kiosk users, as well as other individuals in the proximity of thekiosk 100. Additionally, the person's fingerprint can be checked againstrecords of known fraud perpetrators. If either of these checks indicatethat the person selling the phone presents a fraud risk, the transactioncan be declined and the mobile phone 250 returned. After the user'sidentity has been verified, the transparent plate 244 moves back towardthe upper and lower chambers 230 and 232. As shown in FIG. 2D, however,when the upper chamber 230 is in the lower position the gate 238 permitsthe transparent plate 244 to slide underneath but not electronic devicescarried thereon. As a result, the gate 238 knocks the phone 150 off ofthe transparent plate 244, onto the binning plate 236 and into the bin234. The kiosk 100 can then provide payment of the purchase price to theuser. In some embodiments, payment can be made in the form of cashdispensed from the cash outlet 118. In other embodiments, the user canreceive remuneration for the mobile phone 150 in various other usefulways. For example, the user can be paid via a redeemable cash voucher, acoupon, an e-certificate, a prepaid card, a wired or wireless monetarydeposit to an electronic account (e.g., a bank account, credit account,loyalty account, online commerce account, mobile wallet, etc.), Bitcoin,etc.

As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the foregoingroutines are but some examples of ways in which the kiosk 100 can beused to recycle or otherwise process consumer electronic devices such asmobile phones. Although the foregoing examples are described in thecontext of mobile phones, it should be understood that kiosk 100 andvarious embodiments thereof can also be used in a similar manner forrecycling virtually any consumer electronic device, such as MP3 players,tablet computers, laptop computers, e-readers, PDAs, Google® Glass™,smartwatches, and other portable or wearable devices, as well as otherrelatively non-portable electronic devices such as desktop computers,printers, televisions, DVRs, devices for playing games, entertainment orother digital media on CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray, etc. Moreover, although theforegoing examples are described in the context of use by a consumer,the kiosk 100 in various embodiments thereof can similarly be used byothers, such as store clerk, to assist consumers in recycling, selling,exchanging, etc. their electronic devices.

FIG. 3 provides a schematic representation of an architecture of thekiosk 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the kiosk 100 includes a suitable processoror central processing unit (CPU) 300 that controls operation of thekiosk 100 in accordance with computer-readable instructions stored onsystem memory 306. The CPU 300 may be any logic processing unit, such asone or more CPUs, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specificintegrated circuits (ASICs), etc. The CPU 300 may be a single processingunit or multiple processing units in an electronic device or distributedacross multiple devices. The CPU 300 is connected to the memory 306 andmay be coupled to other hardware devices, for example, with the use of abus (e.g., a PCI Express or Serial ATA bus). The CPU 300 can include, byway of example, a standard personal computer (PC) (e.g., a DELL®OptiPlex® 7010 PC) or other type of embedded computer running anysuitable operating system, such as Windows®, Linux®, Android™, iOS®, oran embedded real-time operating system. In some embodiments, the CPU 300can be a small form factor PC with integrated hard disk drive (HDD) orsolid-state drive (SSD) and universal serial bus (USB) or other ports tocommunicate with the other components of the kiosk 100. In otherembodiments, the CPU 300 can include a microprocessor with a standalonemotherboard that interfaces with a separate HDD. The memory 306 caninclude read-only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM) or otherstorage devices, such as disk drives or SSDs, that store the executableapplications, test software, databases and other software required to,for example, control kiosk components, process electronic deviceinformation and data (to, e.g., evaluate device make, model, condition,pricing, etc.), communicate and exchange data and information withremote computers and other devices, etc.

The CPU 300 can provide information and instructions to kiosk users viathe display screen 104 and/or an audio system (e.g., a speaker) 304. TheCPU 300 can also receive user inputs via, e.g., a touch screen 308associated with the display screen 104, a keypad with physical keys,and/or a microphone 310. Additionally, the CPU 300 can receive personalidentification and/or biometric information associated with users viathe ID reader 112, one or more of the external cameras 116, and/or thefingerprint reader 114. In some embodiments, the CPU 300 can alsoreceive information (such as user identification and/or accountinformation) via a card reader 312 (e.g., a debit, credit, or loyaltycard reader having, e.g., a suitable magnetic stripe reader, opticalreader, etc.). The CPU 300 can also control operation of the labeldispenser 110 and systems for providing remuneration to users, such asthe cash dispenser 118 and/or a receipt or voucher printer and anassociated dispenser 320.

As noted above, the kiosk 100 additionally includes a number ofelectronic, optical and electromechanical devices for electrically,visually and/or physically analyzing electronic devices placed thereinfor recycling. Such systems can include one more internal cameras 314for visually inspecting electronic devices for, e.g., determiningexternal dimensions and condition, and one or more of the electricalconnectors 242 (e.g., USB connectors) for, e.g., powering up electronicdevices and performing electronic analyses. As noted above, the cameras314 can be operably coupled to the upper and lower chambers 230 and 232,and the connectors 242 can be movably and interchangeably carried by thecarrousel 240 (FIGS. 2A-2D). The kiosk 100 further includes a pluralityof mechanical components that are electronically actuated for carryingout the various functions of the kiosk 100 during operation. Themechanical components 318 can include, for example, the inspection areaaccess door 106 and one or more of the movable components (e.g. theinspection plate 244, the upper and lower chambers 230 and 232, etc.)operably disposed within the inspection area 108 (FIG. 1). The kiosk 100further includes power 302, which can include battery power and/orfacility power for operation of the various electrical componentsassociated with kiosk operation.

In the illustrated embodiment, the kiosk 100 further includes a networkconnection 322 (e.g., a wired connection, such as an Ethernet port,cable modem, FireWire cable, Lightning connector, USB port, etc.)suitable for communication with, e.g., all manner of processing devices(including remote processing devices) via a communication link 350, anda wireless transceiver 324 (e.g., including a Wi-Fi access point;Bluetooth transceiver; near-field communication (NFC) device; wirelessmodem or cellular radio utilizing GSM, CDMA, 3G and/or 4G technologies;etc.) suitable for communication with, e.g., all manner of processingdevices (including remote processing devices) via the communication link350 and/or directly via, e.g., a wireless peer-to-peer connection. Forexample, the wireless transceiver 324 can facilitate wirelesscommunication with electronic devices, such as an electronic device 330either in the proximity of the kiosk 100 or remote therefrom. In theillustrated embodiment, the electronic device 330 is depicted as ahandheld device, e.g., a mobile phone. In other embodiments, however,the electronic device 330 can be other types of electronic devicesincluding, for example, other handheld devices; PDAs; MP3 players;tablet, notebook and laptop computers; e-readers; cameras; desktopcomputers; TVs; DVRs; game consoles; Google® Glass™; smartwatches; etc.By way of example only, in the illustrated embodiment the electronicdevice 330 can include one or more features, applications and/or otherelements commonly found in smartphones and other known mobile devices.For example, the electronic device 330 can include a CPU and/or agraphics processing unit (GPU) 334 for executing computer readableinstructions stored on memory 336. In addition, the electronic device330 can include an internal power source or battery 332, a dockconnector 346, a USB port 348, a camera 340, and/or well-known inputdevices, including, for example, a touch screen 342, a keypad, etc. Inmany embodiments, the electronic device 330 can also include a speaker344 for two-way communication and audio playback. In addition to theforegoing features, the electronic device 330 can include an operatingsystem (OS) 331 and/or a device wireless transceiver that may includeone or more antennas 338 for wirelessly communicating with, for example,other electronic devices, websites, and the kiosk 100. Suchcommunication can be performed via, e.g., the communication link 350(which can include the Internet, a public or private intranet, a localor extended Wi-Fi network, cell towers, the plain old telephone system(POTS), etc.), direct wireless communication, etc.

Unless described otherwise, the construction and operation of thevarious components shown in FIG. 3 are of conventional design. As aresult, such components need not be described in further detail herein,as they will be readily understood by those skilled in the relevant art.In other embodiments, the kiosk 100 and/or the electronic device 330 caninclude other features that may be different from those described above.In still further embodiments, the kiosk 100 and/or the electronic device330 can include more or fewer features similar to those described above.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a suitable network environment forimplementing various aspects of an electronic device recycling system400 configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology.In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of the kiosks 100 (identifiedindividually as kiosks 100 a-100 n) can exchange information with one ormore remote computers (e.g., one or more server computers 404) via thecommunication link 350. Although the communication link 350 can includea publically available network (e.g., the Internet with a webinterface), a private communication link, such as an intranet or othernetwork can also be used. Moreover, in various embodiments theindividual kiosk 100 can be connected to a host computer (not shown)that facilitates the exchange of information between the kiosks 100 andremote computers, other kiosks, mobile devices, etc.

The server computer 404 can perform many or all of the functions forreceiving, routing and storing of electronic messages, such as webpages,audio signals and electronic images necessary to implement the variouselectronic transactions described herein. For example, the servercomputer 404 can retrieve and exchange web pages and other content withan associated database or databases 406. In some embodiments, thedatabase 406 can include information related to mobile phones and/orother consumer electronic devices. Such information can include, forexample, make, model, serial number, International Mobile EquipmentIdentity (IMEI) number, carrier plan information, pricing information,owner information, etc. In various embodiments the server computer 404can also include a server engine 408, a web page management component410, a content management component 412, and a database managementcomponent 414. The server engine 408 can perform the basic processingand operating system level tasks associated with the varioustechnologies described herein. The webpage management component 410 canhandle creation and/or display and/or routing of web or other displaypages. The content management component 412 can handle many of thefunctions associated with the routines described herein. The databasemanagement component 414 can perform various storage, retrieval andquery tasks associated with the database 406, and can store variousinformation and data such as animation, graphics, visual and audiosignals, etc.

In the illustrated embodiment, the kiosks 100 can also be operablyconnected to a plurality of other remote devices and systems via thecommunication link 350. For example, the kiosks 100 can be operablyconnected to a plurality of user devices 418 (e.g., personal computers,laptops, handheld devices, etc.) having associated browsers 420.Similarly, as described above the kiosks 100 can each include wirelesscommunication facilities for exchanging digital information withwireless-enabled electronic devices, such as the electronic device 330.The kiosks 100 and/or the server computer 404 are also operablyconnectable to a series of remote computers for obtaining data and/orexchanging information with necessary service providers, financialinstitutions, device manufactures, authorities, government agencies,etc. For example, the kiosks 100 and the server computer 404 can beoperably connected to one or more cell carriers 422, one or more devicemanufacturers 424 (e.g., mobile phone manufacturers), one or moreelectronic payment or financial institutions 428, one or more databases(e.g., the GSMA IMEI Database, etc.), and one or more computers and/orother remotely located or shared resources associated with cloudcomputing 426. The financial institutions 428 can include all manner ofentity associated with conducting financial transactions, includingbanks, credit/debit card facilities, online commerce facilities, onlinepayment systems, virtual cash systems, money transfer systems, etc.

In addition to the foregoing, the kiosks 100 and the server computer 404can also be operably connected to a resale marketplace 430 and a kioskoperator 432. The resale marketplace 430 represents a system of remotecomputers and/or services providers associated with the reselling ofconsumer electronic devices through both electronic and brick and mortarchannels. Such entities and facilities can be associated with, forexample, online auctions for reselling used electronic devices as wellas for establishing market prices for such devices. The kiosk operator432 can be a central computer or system of computers for controlling allmanner of operation of the network of kiosks 100. Such operations caninclude, for example, remote monitoring and facilitating of kioskmaintenance (e.g., remote testing of kiosk functionality, downloadingoperational software and updates, etc.), servicing (e.g., periodicreplenishing of cash and other consumables), performance, etc. Inaddition, the kiosk operator 432 can further include one or more displayscreens operably connected to cameras located at each of the kiosks 100(e.g., one or more of the cameras 116 described above with reference toFIG. 1). This remote viewing capability enables operator personnel toverify user identification and/or make other visual observations at thekiosks 100 in real-time during transactions, as described above withreference to FIG. 1.

The foregoing description of the electronic device recycling system 400illustrates but one possible network system suitable for implementingthe various technologies described herein. Accordingly, those ofordinary skill in the art with appreciate that other systems consistentwith the present technology can omit one or more of the facilitiesdescribed in reference to FIG. 4, or can include one or more additionalfacilities not described in detail in FIG. 4.

The kiosks 100, mobile devices 330, server computers 404, user computersor devices 418, etc. can include one or more central processing units orother logic-processing circuitry, memory, input devices (e.g., keyboardsand pointing devices), output devices (e.g., display devices andprinters), and storage devices (e.g., magnetic, solid state, fixed andfloppy disk drives, optical disk drives, etc.). Such computers caninclude other program modules such as an operating system, one or moreapplication programs (e.g., word processing or spreadsheetapplications), and the like. The computers can include wirelesscomputers, such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs),palm-top computers, tablet computers, notebook and laptop computersdesktop computers, e-readers, music players, GPS devices, wearablecomputers such as smartwatches and Google® Glass™, etc., thatcommunicate with the Internet via a wireless link. The computers may begeneral-purpose devices that can be programmed to run various types ofapplications, or they may be single-purpose devices optimized or limitedto a particular function or class of functions. Aspects of the inventionmay be practiced in a variety of other computing environments.

While the Internet is shown, a private network, such as an intranet canlikewise be used herein. The network can have a client-serverarchitecture, in which a computer is dedicated to serving other clientcomputers, or it can have other architectures such as peer-to-peer, inwhich one or more computers serve simultaneously as servers and clients.A database or databases, coupled to the server computer(s), stores muchof the web pages and content exchanged between the user computers. Theserver computer(s), including the database(s), can employ securitymeasures to inhibit malicious attacks on the system, and to preserveintegrity of the messages and data stored therein (e.g., firewallsystems, message encryption and/or authentication (e.g., using transportlayer security (TLS) or secure sockets layer (SSL)), password protectionschemes, encryption of stored data (e.g., using trusted computinghardware), and the like).

One skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the concepts of theinvention can be used in various environments other than location basedor the Internet. In general, a display description can be in HTML, XMLor WAP format, email format or any other format suitable for displayinginformation (including character/code-based formats, algorithm-basedformats (e.g., vector generated), and bitmapped formats). Also, variouscommunication channels, such as local area networks, wide area networks,or point-to-point dial-up connections, can be used instead of theInternet. The system can be conducted within a single computerenvironment, rather than a client/server environment. Also, the usercomputers can comprise any combination of hardware or software thatinteracts with the server computer, such as television-based systems andvarious other consumer products through which commercial ornoncommercial transactions can be conducted. The various aspects of theinvention described herein can be implemented in or for any e-mailenvironment.

Although not required, aspects of the invention are described in thegeneral context of computer-executable instructions, such as routinesexecuted by a data processing device, e.g., a server computer, wirelessdevice or personal computer. Those skilled in the relevant art willappreciate that aspects of the invention can be practiced with othercommunications, data processing, or computer system configurations,including: Internet appliances, hand-held devices (including personaldigital assistants (PDAs)), wearable computers, all manner of cellularor mobile phones (including Voice over IP (VoIP) phones), dumbterminals, media players, gaming devices, multi-processor systems,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, set-topboxes, network PCs, mini-computers, mainframe computers, and the like.Indeed, the terms “computer,” “server,” “host,” “host system,” and thelike are generally used interchangeably herein, and refer to any of theabove devices and systems, as well as any data processor.

Aspects of the invention can be embodied in a special purpose computeror data processor that is specifically programmed, configured, orconstructed to perform one or more of the computer-executableinstructions explained in detail herein. While aspects of the invention,such as certain functions, are described as being performed exclusivelyon a single device, the invention can also be practiced in distributedenvironments where functions or modules are shared among disparateprocessing devices, which are linked through a communications network,such as a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), or theInternet. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can belocated in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the routines andother functions and methods described herein can be implemented as anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), by a digital signalprocessing (DSP) integrated circuit, through conventional programmedlogic arrays and/or circuit elements. While many of the embodiments areshown and described as being implemented in hardware (e.g., one or moreintegrated circuits designed specifically for a task), such embodimentscould equally be implemented in software and be performed by one or moreprocessors. Such software can be stored on any suitablecomputer-readable medium, such as microcode stored in a semiconductorchip, on a computer-readable disk, or downloaded from a server andstored locally at a client.

Aspects of the invention can be stored or distributed on tangiblecomputer-readable media, including magnetically or optically readablecomputer discs, hard-wired or preprogrammed chips (e.g., EEPROMsemiconductor chips), nanotechnology memory, biological memory, or otherdata storage media. The data storage devices can include any type ofcomputer-readable media that can store data accessible by a computer,such as magnetic hard and floppy disk drives, optical disk drives,magnetic cassettes, tape drives, flash memory cards, DVDs, Bernoullicartridges, RAM, ROMs, smart cards, etc. Indeed, any medium for storingor transmitting computer-readable instructions and data may be employed,including a connection port to a network such as a LAN, WAN, or theInternet. Alternatively, computer implemented instructions, datastructures, screen displays, and other data under aspects of theinvention can be distributed over the Internet or over other networks(including wireless networks), on a propagated signal on a propagationmedium (e.g., an electromagnetic wave(s), a sound wave, etc.) over aperiod of time, or they can be provided on any analog or digital network(packet switched, circuit switched, or other scheme). The terms “memory”and “computer-readable storage medium” include any combination oftemporary, persistent, and/or permanent storage, e.g., ROM, writablememory such as RAM, writable non-volatile memory such as flash memory,hard drives, solid state drives, removable media, and so forth, but donot include a transitory propagating signal per se.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a routine 500 for pricing an electronicdevice (e.g., a mobile phone) for recycling in accordance withembodiments of the present technology. The routine 500 and/or portionsthereof can be implemented by an app running on the mobile phone and/orother electronic device. In some instances, for example, a user who ownsa mobile phone may want to know how much the mobile phone is worth sothat he or she can consider selling the mobile phone. The routine 500 ofFIG. 5 enables the user to quickly obtain a current price for theelectronic device, without requiring the user to bring the electronicdevice to the recycling kiosk 100, and without requiring the user toprovide all the details of the electronic device and its configuration.After the user knows how much the electronic device is worth, he or shecan take the electronic device to the recycling kiosk 100 andefficiently complete a transaction to recycle the electronic device,and/or take other steps to sell the device, such as by mailing thedevice in to be recycled.

The routine 500 utilizes an app that can obtain information about auser's electronic device. The electronic device may be, for example, oneof various consumer electronic devices, such as a used mobiletelecommunication device, which includes all manner of handheld deviceshaving wireless communication capabilities (e.g., a smartphone). In someembodiments, the user downloads the app to the electronic device from anapp store or other software repository associated with the devicemanufacturer 424 or a third party (e.g., the Apple® App Store℠, GooglePlay™ store, Amazon® Appstore™, and so on), from a website (e.g., awebsite associated with the kiosk operator 432), from the kiosk 100(e.g., sideloading an app over a wired or wireless data connection),from a removable memory device such as an SD flash card or USB drive,etc. In other embodiments, the app is loaded on the electronic devicebefore it is first acquired by the user (e.g., preinstalled by thedevice manufacturer 424, a wireless service carrier 422, or a devicevendor). In various embodiments, the app and/or a remote serveroperatively connectable to the app can perform some or all of theroutine 500. For example, when the user wants to find out how much theelectronic device is worth, the user can activate the app (e.g., byselecting an icon representing the app on the touch screen of theelectronic device) and, for example, choose a “What's my device worth?”function to begin a process to price the electronic device. The user canuse the app to price the electronic device even when the electronicdevice is remote from the kiosk 100.

In block 502, the routine 500 receives or otherwise obtains informationabout the electronic device via the app. In some embodiments, theroutine 500 obtains the information automatically, i.e., withoutreceiving user input of the information. For example, under the iOS®operating system, the app can access mobile device information via theSettings/General/About screen, or by using Application ProgrammingInterfaces (APIs) available via iOS®; other operating systems providesimilar access to device information. The app can obtain informationnecessary to identify and/or evaluate the electronic device, such as aunique identifier (e.g., an IMEI number or an MEID or equivalent numberof a mobile phone, a hardware media access control address (MAC address)of a networkable device, or a model number and serial number of theelectronic device); information describing the device's manufacturer(e.g., a manufacturer name or ID code), model, characteristics (e.g.,storage capacity, color, carrier, and/or radio bands), capabilities,and/or condition; and so on. Characteristic information about anelectronic device includes the device's make, model, and configuration.Additional details about obtaining information about the electronicdevice are described below with reference to FIG. 8. The routine 500 canstore the information about the electronic device in a data structure onthe electronic device (e.g., in a table maintained by the app) and/orremotely from the electronic device (e.g., in a data structuremaintained at one or more of the kiosk 100, the server computer 404, thecloud storage facility 426, etc.).

In block 504, the routine 500 evaluates the electronic device based onthe information. In some embodiments, the routine 500 performs theevaluation automatically, i.e., without receiving user input in theevaluation. Evaluating the electronic device can include identifying theelectronic device and/or assessing its condition. For example, theevaluation can include identifying the electronic device by determiningone or more of the electronic device's platform, make, model, carrier(for a mobile phone, for example), features, configuration (e.g., memoryand/or other storage capacity), upgrades, peripherals, etc. In variousembodiments, the app or a remote server can query a local or remotedatabase (e.g., the database 406) using the information. For example,the app or the remote server can obtain a mobile phone's IMEI number andcan then communicate remotely (via, e.g., a wireless or wired link) witha backend database such as the GSMA IMEI Database, parsing the IMEI todetermine or verify the phone's make and/or model. The routine 500 canuse such queries to obtain meta-information, e.g., to confirm whethervarious sources of information about the electronic device areconsistent with each other. Evaluating the electronic device can alsoinclude determining what kind of information is and is not availableabout the electronic device. For example, depending on the type ofdevice, it may or may not be possible to perform tests to gauge thecondition of the electronic device (e.g., to assess the processor, thebattery, and/or the screen, and so on).

Evaluating the electronic device can also include, for example,assessing the physical and/or electrical condition of the electronicdevice based on the information. In some embodiments, the app canperform tests to reveal the condition of the electronic device, such astests of processor performance, battery charging and/or capacity, memorytests for quality of the memory, test calls to confirm sufficientoperation of device's radios, and so forth). The app can performinteractive tests that incorporate user feedback, such as screen tests(e.g., asking the user whether there are any cracks in the glass and/ordisplaying a solid color or pattern on an LCD or LED display andprompting the user to identify dead or stuck pixels in the display),and/or interactive tests that include user action such as directing theuser to activate a function on the electronic device (e.g., turning on aBluetooth radio so that the app can test the radio's function).

In some embodiments, evaluating the electronic device includesdetermining whether the electronic device is associated with a remoteuser account that enables remote user control of the electronic device(such as tracking the electronic device and/or erasing data from theelectronic device), and/or identifying other potential issues that couldaffect the electronic device's operation, value, or ability to beresold. For example, additional details about identifying anddeactivating a remote device control feature (e.g., a “kill switch”) aredescribed below with reference to FIG. 10.

In some embodiments, evaluating the electronic device includestransmitting information about the electronic device to one or moreremote server computers (e.g., to a remote server computer 404, to acloud computing service 426, to the kiosk operator 432, and/or to theuser's computer 418) before the user brings the electronic device to thekiosk 100. In some embodiments, the routine 500 can send raw informationabout the electronic device to be remotely stored (e.g. to a cloudstorage site) for later access and evaluation by the kiosk 100, or cansend identifiers of the electronic device and the results of evaluationprocesses performed by the app to be retrieved by the kiosk 100.

In decision block 506, the routine 500 determines whether the evaluationis sufficient for pricing the electronic device. The determination caninclude, for example, whether the evaluation of the electronic device'stype and condition is sufficient to determine a price to offer for theelectronic device or whether the electronic device could be in a rangeof possible prices. For example, to determine a price for the electronicdevice, the routine 500 may require information about the make and modelof the electronic device or one or more unique identifiers of theelectronic device to look up a current price for the device in adatabase or pricing model. The database or pricing model can be, forexample, a local lookup table of common devices and/or a remotely hosteddatabase or web service to which the app can transmit information aboutthe electronic device and receive a current market value or offer pricefor the electronic device. Accordingly, the evaluation of the electronicdevice's type and condition may be insufficient to determine a price ora price range for the electronic device if the evaluation is based oninsufficient information about the electronic device (e.g., if the appdoes not have access to a model number or a unique identifier of theelectronic device), and/or if the evaluation is unable to positivelyidentify the electronic device. In some instances, for example, theevaluation can identify the electronic device as one of a group ofdevices (e.g., a Samsung® Galaxy® device, a family that includes a largenumber of devices such as tablet computers and smartphones), but cannotspecifically identify the electronic device. In such instances, theroutine 500 can determine, for example, that the electronic device is ina range of possible prices. The range of prices can be based on, e.g.,the values of some or each of the devices in the group of devices. Theroutine 500 can also determine in such instances that the range ofprices is larger than a threshold price range, and accordingly determinethat the information about the electronic device is not sufficient todetermine a price or a sufficiently narrow range of prices for theelectronic device. In some embodiments, the determination can alsoinclude whether the evaluation is sufficient to identify the presence orconfirm the absence of various issues, as described below with referenceto FIGS. 10 and 11. For example, if the routine 500 cannot determinefrom the evaluation whether the electronic device is in a fullyfunctional state (such as whether the electronic device is subject toremote user control), the routine 500 can decide that the evaluation isinsufficient to price the electronic device.

If the routine 500 determines that the evaluation is not sufficient forpricing the electronic device, then in block 508 the routine 500 directsthe user to bring the electronic device to the kiosk 100 for a physicaland/or electrical inspection such as described above with reference toFIGS. 2A-2D. After block 508, the routine 500 ends. Conversely, if theroutine 500 determines that the information is sufficient to price theelectronic device, then in block 510 the routine 500 determines an offerprice for the electronic device. For example, the routine 500 canconsult a local or remote database (for example, the database 406) toset an offer price based on the information and the evaluation of theelectronic device. In some instances, the offer price includes a rangeof prices or a price that is contingent on a particular identificationand/or evaluation of the electronic device at the kiosk 100. In someembodiments, the app downloads pricing data from a remote server (e.g.,the server computer 404 of FIG. 4), and the app determines an offerprice for the electronic device based on the pricing data downloaded bythe app. For example, in some embodiments, the app can download adatabase of prices, such as a lookup table, pricing model, or other datastructure containing prices for popular electronic devices. The app canuse the information about the make and model of the electronic device tolook up the current value of the electronic device in the table. The appcan also look up information in a remote database (e.g., the database406). In other embodiments, the app can transmit some or all of theinformation to a remote server. The remote server can then use thetransmitted information to determine the current market value of theelectronic device (such as by looking up the value of the electronicdevice in a database) and return a price that the app can offer the userfor the electronic device. In various embodiments, the pricing data isupdated periodically, such as daily. The routine 500 can ensure thatsuch pricing data is valid only for a certain time, or only while theapp is connected to the remote server, so that the app offers onlycurrent, accurate prices.

In some embodiments, the routine 500 determines a fixed price for theelectronic device that is valid for a set amount of time, so that theuser can bring his or her electronic device to the kiosk 100 within theset time already knowing its value, increasing the user's certainty andconfidence. In some embodiments, the routine 500 determines a pricerange for the electronic device, enabling the user to bring theelectronic device to the kiosk 100, so that the kiosk 100 can completeevaluation of the electronic device (e.g., a visual inspection) andoffer a price consistent with the determined range. In some embodiments,determining an offer price includes projecting a future value of theelectronic device, or future values projected over time. Suchprojections can be based on past depreciation, and/or anticipatedrelease schedules for future devices (such as new Apple® iPhone® mobilephones).

In block 512, the routine 500 presents the determined offer price orestimated price for the electronic device. For example, the app candisplay the price on the electronic device's screen, and/or a remoteserver can send the user a text message or email containing the pricethat the user can obtain by selling the electronic device at the kiosk100 within a certain time. For example, the routine 500 can indicatethat the kiosk 100 will hold the offer valid for a period of time. Insome embodiments, the app enables the user to commit to bringing theelectronic device to the kiosk 100, for example, at a set time or withina set period of time. In some embodiments, the app can reward the userwith incentives for bringing the electronic device to the kiosk 100.Such incentives can include, for example, a time-expiring offer, acoupon valid at a store nearby the kiosk 100, a bonus for recyclingadditional devices, a referral bonus, etc.

In block 514, the routine 500 can associate a unique identifier with theelectronic device or the user. The routine 500 can use an identifierthat is already associated with the electronic device (for example, thedevice's IMEI number, for a mobile phone) or can generate a newidentifier. The identifier can be a globally unique identifier (GUID)and/or a visual identifier, such as a QR code, a bar code, etc. Forexample, the routine 500 can associate the price with a uniqueidentifier such as a hash value generated based on the user, the deviceidentification, the app, and/or the time and amount of the price itself,etc. For example, the routine 500 can associate a numeric oralphanumeric identifier code with the offer price for the electronicdevice and give that code to the user, informing the user that the usercan enter the code at the kiosk 100 by a certain time to receive theoffer price for the device. For example, the routine 500 can display thecode on the screen of the electronic device, and/or send the user anemail or text message containing the code. The routine 500 can store theprice and the identifier in a data structure on the electronic device(e.g., in a table maintained by the app) and/or remotely from theelectronic device (e.g., in a data structure maintained at one or moreof the kiosk 100, the server computer 404, the cloud storage facility426, etc.), and can transmit them between or among various computingand/or storage facilities. In some embodiments, the routine 500transmits the identifier to the server computer 404 so that when thekiosk 100 receives the identifier, the kiosk 100 can look up theidentifier and retrieve the associated price (for example, together withinformation used to automatically recognize the electronic device and/orthe user, such as described below with reference to FIG. 6). In otherembodiments, the routine 500 prompts the user to create an account orprovide account credentials, such as by entering a username andpassword. For example, the routine 500 can prompt the user to set up anaccount associated with the kiosk operator 432, or can ask the user tologin to a third-party account, such as a Facebook® account.

In block 516, the routine 500 records the offer price for the electronicdevice and the identifier. For example, the routine 500 can store theoffer price in a lookup table indexed against the unique identifier ofthe electronic device. The routine 500 can record the offer price forthe electronic device locally on the electronic device and/or remotely(e.g., together with the information about the electronic device). Forexample, the app can store a record of the offer price for theelectronic device and timestamp of the offer price, and/or can transmitthe offer price data to the kiosk operator 432, to the remote server404, to the cloud storage facility 426, and/or to one or more kiosks 100(e.g., kiosks 100 a-100 n that are in the same geographic area as theuser or the app), so that any kiosk 100 can retrieve the offered pricefrom a server and efficiently complete the contemplated purchasetransaction based on the offer price. In addition, the routine 500 cantrack and aggregate information about prices offered for the electronicdevice (and for all priced electronic devices) over time, together with,for example, information about when electronic devices are actuallyrecycled after an offer is presented via the app.

In decision block 518, the routine 500 can receive user input indicatingthat the user intends to sell the electronic device at the kiosk 100 forthe offer price. For example, the app can present options that the usercan select to indicate the user's interest, such as a button on thedevice display enabling the user to obtain a coupon by committing torecycle the electronic device within a specified time. If the userselects an option indicating the user's intent to recycle the electronicdevice, then in block 520, the app instructs the user regarding the nextsteps for the user to recycle the electronic device. For example, theapp can prompt the user to prepare the electronic device for recycling,such as described below with reference to FIG. 13. As another example,if the user selects a “Take me to a kiosk now!” button displayed by theapp on the device display, the app can provide directions to the closestrecycling kiosk 100. After instructing the user of next steps forrecycling the electronic device, or if the user does not indicate anintent to accept the offer price (or, e.g., indicates that the user doesnot intend to recycle the electronic device while the offer priceremains valid), the routine 500 ends.

FIG. 5 and the flow diagrams that follow are representative and may notshow all functions or exchanges of data, but instead they provide anunderstanding of commands and data exchanged under the system. Thoseskilled in the relevant art will recognize that some functions orexchange of commands and data may be repeated, varied, omitted, orsupplemented, and other (less important) aspects not shown may bereadily implemented. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that theblocks shown in FIG. 5 and in each of the flow diagrams discussed belowmay be altered in a variety of ways. For example, while processes orblocks are presented in a given order, alternative implementations mayperform routines in a different order, and some processes or blocks maybe rearranged, deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/ormodified to provide alternative or sub-combinations. Each of theseprocesses or blocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways.Also, although processes or blocks are at times shown as being performedin series, these processes or blocks may instead be performed orimplemented in parallel, or may be performed at different times. Some ofthe blocks depicted in FIG. 5 and the other flow diagrams are of a typewell known in the art, and can themselves include a sequence ofoperations that need not be described herein. Those of ordinary skill inthe art can create source code and/or microcode, program logic arrays,or otherwise implement the invention based on the flow diagrams and thedetailed description provided herein.

In various embodiments, all or a portion of the routine 500 and theroutines in the other flow diagrams herein can be implemented by meansof a consumer or other user (such as a retail employee) operating one ormore of the electronic devices and systems described above. For example,in some embodiments, the routine 500 and other routines disclosed hereincan be implemented by a mobile device, such as the electronic device 330described above with reference to FIG. 3. In some embodiments, portions(e.g., blocks) of the routine can be performed by one or more of thekiosks 100 a-100 n of FIG. 4, and/or by one or more remote computers.For example, such remote computers can include one or more of the servercomputers 404 of FIG. 4 and/or computing resources associated with thecloud 426, the resale marketplace 430, and/or the kiosk operator 432operating separately or in combination. The kiosk 100 and/or the remotecomputers can perform the routines described herein using one or morelocal and/or remote databases (e.g., the database 406 of FIG. 4, such asthe GSMA IMEI Database). Accordingly, the description of the routine 500and the other routines disclosed herein may refer interchangeably to theroutine, the app, the subject electronic device, and/or the kiosk 100performing an operation, with the understanding that any of the abovedevices, systems, and resources can perform all or part of theoperation.

While various embodiments of the present technology are described hereinusing mobile phones and other handheld devices as examples of electronicdevices, the present technology applies generally to all types ofelectronic devices. For example, in some embodiments, the app can beinstalled and/or run on a larger device, e.g., a laptop or towercomputer, to perform all or a portion of the routine 500. For example,the app can inventory a laptop or desktop computer and provide the usera confirmation code that the user can print out and bring to a kiosk orto an associated retailer location or point of sale (or send in with thecomputer via, e.g., courier, mail, or package delivery service) as areceipt. The code can identify the electronic device and represent theagreed price determined according to the valuation performed by the appbased on the information it obtained from the electronic device and onthe user-provided supplemental information. In some embodiments, the appand/or the receipt can indicate any elements that require independentverification (e.g., undamaged screen glass) for the user to receive theagreed price for the electronic device. The user can then take theelectronic device to the retail storefront or point of sale (or, e.g.,to the kiosk 100 for viewing by a remote kiosk operator) for itscondition to be independently verified, after which the user can depositthe electronic device. The user can then receive the price upon verifiedreceipt of the electronic device, such as a retailer or the kiosk 100issuing cash, a credit, or a card such as a gift card.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a routine 600 for purchasing an electronicdevice (e.g., a mobile phone) at a kiosk 100 in accordance withembodiments of the present technology. In various embodiments, the kiosk100 and/or a remote server operatively connectable to the kiosk 100 canperform some or all of the routine 600. In the example depicted in theroutine 600, the user has used the mobile app to price the electronicdevice for recycling, as described above with reference to FIG. 5. Forexample, after the user has purchased a new mobile device, he or she mayuse the app to receive a price quote for the old device and getdirections to the closest kiosk 100 where the user can exchange the olddevice for the quoted price while that price remains valid. After theuser is presented with the device offer price, the user knows how muchthe electronic device is worth and may elect to bring the electronicdevice to the kiosk 100 for recycling. In this example, the user bringsthe electronic device to the kiosk 100 for recycling.

In block 602, the routine 600 begins by receiving an identifier of theelectronic device and/or user identification at the kiosk 100. Forexample, when the user electrically connects the electronic device tothe kiosk 100 (e.g., by plugging one of the kiosk's physical wiredconnectors 242 into the electronic device, or by causing the electronicdevice to join a wireless network provided by the kiosk 100), the kiosk100 can detect the electronic device via the connection. Based on thetype of the electronic device and/or the type of connection, the kiosk100 can electrically query the electronic device to receive the uniqueidentifier of the device. As another example, the kiosk 100 can promptthe user to identify himself or herself at the kiosk 100 (e.g., bylogging in to an account). The kiosk 100 can also prompt the user toidentify the electronic device and/or the user at the kiosk 100, such asby entering a code or an identifier (e.g., the identifier that wasassigned as described above with reference to FIG. 5) at the touchscreen 308 of the kiosk 100, by displaying a code (e.g., a QR code) orimage on the screen of the electronic device so that a camera 116 of thekiosk 100 can read the code or image, by placing the electronic devicein front of a camera 116 of the kiosk 100 so that the camera 116 canimage features of the electronic device and/or read (e.g., via OCR)information such as an identifier (e.g., a serial number or IMEI number)printed on the electronic device (e.g. the back of the device), etc.Additional ways for the system to determine that the electronic deviceis present at the kiosk 100 are described below with reference to FIGS.16 and 17. Receiving an identifier can also include, for example,identifying the user from a scanned driver license number; the appsoftware detecting a wireless network signal from the kiosk 100; thekiosk 100 detecting a connection request from the electronic device; andso on.

In block 603, the routine 600 retrieves stored information about theelectronic device at the kiosk 100 based on the received identifier ofthe electronic device. In some embodiments, after the kiosk 100 receivesthe device identifier, the kiosk 100 can query a local or remotedatabase (e.g., a lookup table indexed against unique identifiers ofelectronic devices such as native identifiers or derived or assignedcodes) to determine whether the device identifier is associated withstored information about an electronic device (e.g., any device to whichthe app has been installed, any device that the user has priced usingthe app, and/or any device that the kiosk 100 has previously evaluated).If information about the electronic device—such as, for example, acurrently valid price quote—has been stored, the kiosk 100 automaticallyretrieves the stored information about the electronic device. In someembodiments, the kiosk 100 automatically retrieves informationpreviously submitted about the electronic device, such as informationthat the user submitted via the app, from the memory 306 of the device330 of FIG. 3, and/or from a remote database, such as the database 406of FIG. 4.

In block 604, the routine 600 verifies the identity of the electronicdevice and/or the user. For example, after retrieving the storedinformation (e.g., information about the electronic device that wasobtained via the app), the kiosk 100 can compare that information withinformation directly detected at the kiosk 100. For example, the routine600 can electrically query the electronic device to confirm that theinformation received directly from the electronic device in response tothe query corresponds to the information received indirectly via theapp. To confirm the identity of the electronic device, the routine 600can confirm that all of the identifiers match, and/or are consistentwith third-party information about the electronic device, e.g., asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 5. The routine 600 can also querya database (such as described below with reference to FIG. 8) to confirmthat the electronic device is not, for example, reported stolen orassociated with a remote device control feature (such as described belowwith reference to FIG. 10).

In decision block 606, the routine 600 determines whether the identitiesof the electronic device and/or the user have been verifiedsuccessfully. If the routine 600 is not able to verify the identity ofthe electronic device and/or the user, then the routine 600 ends. Forexample, if the kiosk 100 cannot confirm that the electronic devicesubmitted at the kiosk 100 is the same electronic device for which theapp presented an offer price, then the kiosk 100 can return thesubmitted device, or indicate to the user that the submitted deviceneeds to be fully evaluated and priced at the kiosk 100. On the otherhand, if the verification is successful, then the routine 600 proceedsin block 608.

In block 608, the routine 600 performs an inspection of the electronicdevice, such as by receiving the electronic device and visuallyinspecting the electronic device as described above with reference toFIG. 2B to determine the electronic device's visual condition (e.g.,whether the exterior of the electronic device appears to be damaged,whether the electronic device appears to be powered on, etc.). Indecision block 610, the routine 600 determines whether the electronicdevice's visual condition is in the expected visual condition. Forexample, the routine 600 can evaluate whether the electronic device'svisual condition meets a specific threshold (e.g., appearing largely orcompletely undamaged) or whether the electronic device's conditionmatches the information obtained via the software and used to providethe price quote for the electronic device. If the information about theelectronic device indicated, for example, that the electronic device'scase has a scratch, then in block 610, the routine 600 can confirm thatthe case is scratched (and not, e.g., completely broken or unblemished).

If the electronic device passes the visual inspection, then in block612, the routine 600 offers to purchase the electronic device at thekiosk 100 at the previously offered price (e.g., the price determined inblock 510 of FIG. 5, provided that the price is still valid forredemption). If the offered price has expired, then the routine 600 cancheck the current value of the electronic device and, if its value haschanged, present an updated offer price based on the verified identityand condition of the electronic device. If, however the electronicdevice's visual condition is not as previously indicated, then in block614 the routine 600 determines a price to offer for the electronicdevice based on the results of the visual inspection, and in block 615the routine 600 presents the determined offer price to the user, such asby displaying the determined offer price on the kiosk display screen104.

In decision block 616, after presenting the offer price to the user inblock 612 or block 614, the routine 600 determines whether the offerprice is accepted. If the user does not accept the offer, then theroutine 600 ends. If, on the other hand, the user accepts the offer andhas submitted the electronic device at the kiosk 100, then in block 618,the routine 600 completes the purchase and/or recycling transaction(e.g., receiving the electronic device in the collection bin 234 ofFIGS. 2A-2D and paying the user). After the transaction is completed,the routine 600 ends.

In some instances, the user may want to maintain possession of his orher electronic device while obtaining an estimated price for theelectronic device; for example, the user may be apprehensive aboutplacing his or her electronic device into the inspection area 108 of thekiosk 100 for an electrical and/or visual inspection. In someembodiments, the present technology provides a “quick quote” or initialprice estimate that the kiosk 100 can present to the user based onperforming an initial analysis of the electronic device that does notrequire the user to give up control of his or her device. Afterreceiving the “quick quote,” the user can decide whether to recycle hisor her electronic device based on a greater certainty about the value ofthe electronic device.

For example, to initiate obtaining a “quick quote” price estimate, theuser can launch the app on the user's device. In some embodiments, theroutine transfers information about the user's device from theelectronic device to the kiosk 100. The app can transfer suchinformation indirectly via an Internet data connection (e.g., via amobile phone device transmitting cellular data to the remote server 404of FIG. 4, which can then send that information to the kiosk 100) ordirectly to the kiosk 100. For example, the kiosk 100 can direct theuser to swipe an NFC-enabled device against or in close proximity to(e.g., within a few inches of) an NFC sensor on the kiosk 100, or directthe user to connect the electronic device to a Wi-Fi or Bluetoothnetwork provided by the kiosk 100. The kiosk 100 and/or the app caninstruct the user to position the electronic device so that one or moreof the cameras 116 a-c can image the device to perform an initial visualanalysis of the device. The routine can also direct the user to presentthe electronic device at the kiosk 100 displaying a code such as a QRcode on the device's display screen so that the kiosk's camera 116 canscan the code. For example, the app and/or kiosk 100 may instruct theuser to hold his or her electronic device at various angles or distancesfrom the camera 116 (e.g., to show components of the device 330 and/orinformation printed on the device 330), or direct the user to displayparticular content on the screen of the electronic device (e.g., adevice information “about” screen, or a visual code or test patternscreen displayed by the app) for evaluation by the kiosk 100 through thecamera 116. The routine can also direct the user to use the electronicdevice's camera to read a code such as a QR code or bar code displayedby the kiosk's display screen 104, such as to verify that the electronicdevice's camera is functioning properly, and/or to transmit information(such as an offer price) to the electronic device without requiring awireless network connection. If the information and/or initial visualanalysis are sufficient to provide an initial quote, the kiosk 100and/or the app can provide the user a price or estimated range of pricesfor the electronic device, e.g., via the app on the display screen ofthe electronic device and/or via the kiosk display screen 104.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are display diagrams illustrating screen displays orgraphical user interfaces (GUIs) associated with determining an offerprice for an electronic device in accordance with embodiments of thepresent technology. In some embodiments, the electronic device displaysthe illustrated information on the display of the electronic device'sscreen. Referring first to FIG. 7A, the display page 710 illustrates anestimated price or offer for the electronic device, e.g., a mobilephone. In the illustrated example, the app has identified the electronicdevice as an Apple® iPhone® 5S mobile phone having 16 GB of memory andassociated with the AT&T® mobile carrier network, as shown by thedescriptive text 712. The page 710 displays a condition indicator 714characterizing the phone as “well loved,” in used condition showinglight wear. In the illustrated embodiment, the condition indicator 714includes other options such as “like new” and “worn out.” In otherembodiments, the condition indicator 714 enables a user to selectwhether the electronic device appears to be in poor, fair, or excellentcondition, for example. Based on the phone's identity 712 and condition714, the app presents a price estimate or offer 716 of $800 for the userto sell the electronic device at a kiosk 100. Instructions 718 promptthe user to take the electronic device to a kiosk 100 (e.g., “an ecoATM”kiosk) to exchange it for cash before the price changes. FIG. 7B shows asimilar display page 720 that illustrates an estimated price or offerfor a less valuable device. The description 722 identifies theelectronic device as a mobile phone, e.g., an original Apple® iPhone®having 16 GB of memory and AT&T® as a mobile carrier. The conditionindicator 724 describes the phone as “well loved,” for instance, withcracked glass but a working display. Based on the phone's identity 722and condition 724, the app presents an estimate that the electronicdevice has no market value. Instructions 728 prompt the user to take theelectronic device to a kiosk 100 for recycling to benefit theenvironment.

The display diagrams in the present disclosure, including displaydiagrams 710 and 720, illustrate representative computer display screensor web pages that can be implemented in various ways, such as in C++ oras web pages in XML (Extensible Markup Language), HTML (HyperText MarkupLanguage), the Wireless Access Protocol (WAP), LaTeX or PDF documents,or any other scripts or methods of creating displayable data, such astext, images, animations, video and audio, etc. The screens or web pagesprovide facilities to present information and receive input data, suchas a form or page with fields to be filled in, pull-down menus orentries allowing one or more of several options to be selected, buttons,sliders, hypertext links or other known user interface tools forreceiving user input. While certain ways of displaying information tousers are shown and described with reference to certain Figures, thoseskilled in the relevant art will recognize that various otheralternatives may be employed. The terms “screen,” “web page” and “page”are generally used interchangeably herein.

When implemented as web pages, for example, the screens are stored asdisplay descriptions, graphical user interfaces, or other methods ofdepicting information on a computer screen (e.g., commands, links,fonts, colors, layout, sizes and relative positions, and the like),where the layout and information or content to be displayed on the pageis stored in a database typically connected to a server. In general, a“link” refers to any resource locator identifying a resource on anetwork, such as a display description provided by an organizationhaving a site or node on the network. A “display description,” asgenerally used herein, refers to any method of automatically displayinginformation on a computer screen in any of the above-noted formats, aswell as other formats, such as email or character/code-based formats,algorithm-based formats (e.g., vector generated), matrix or bit-mappedformats, animated or video formats, etc. While aspects of the inventionare described herein using a networked environment, some or all featurescan be implemented within a single-computer environment.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a routine 800 for obtaining informationabout an electronic device in accordance with embodiments of the presenttechnology. In various embodiments, the app and/or a remote serveroperatively connectable to the app can perform some or all of theroutine 800. For example, the routine 800 can be performed when the userdirects the app to price the electronic device for possible recycling,which causes the app to receive or otherwise obtain information aboutthe electronic device. In some embodiments, the app can directly querythe electrical device on which the app is running, such as by using anoperating system API to obtain information about the device. Asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 5, the app and/or a remote servercan then use the information to determine an offer price for theelectronic device and can save the information about the electronicdevice to facilitate a transaction to recycle the electronic device.

In block 802, the routine 800 receives a request from the user to pricethe electronic device. For example, the user may initiate a process toprice the electronic device for recycling by selecting a “What's MyDevice Worth?” option displayed by the app on the screen of theelectronic device. As another example, when the user installs and firstruns the app on the electronic device, the initial running of the appcan cause the routine 800 to obtain information about the electronicdevice running the app.

In decision block 804, the routine 800 determines whether the app isable to directly query the electronic device. For example, the app maybe running on a platform that allows the app to directly obtain detailedinformation about the electronic device and its configuration, asdescribed below with reference to block 806. On the other hand, the appmay be running on an electronic device that does not allow such access,or the user may not give the app permission to obtain some or all of theinformation that would be useful to determine the value of theelectronic device. In another embodiment, the user may use the app tofind the value of another device not running the app, so that the app isnot able to directly obtain information about the electronic device.

If the app is not able to directly query the electronic device, then inblock 805 the routine 800 presents a device identification interface forthe user to identify the electronic device. For example, in someembodiments the app presents a hierarchy of screen displays for the userto identify the electronic device's make (or brand) and model, such asdescribed below with reference to FIGS. 9A-9D. In other embodiments, theapp can prompt the user (such as by a dialog that the app can display onthe screen of the electronic device) to provide more general and/or morespecific information about the electronic device. For example, the appcan ask the user to confirm the category of the electronic device (e.g.,laptop, television, smartwatch, game console, music player, wirelessheadset, mobile phone, virtual reality display, etc.). As anotherexample, the app can request detailed information such as the colorand/or style of the electronic device, such as information about amobile phone produced in more than one variety or a device that couldinclude external or interchangeable accessories (e.g., console faceplates). In some embodiments, the app can prompt the user to submit anidentifier of the electronic device. For example, the app can instructthe user to input a model number, serial number, or IMEI of theelectronic device. As another example, the app can direct the user tonavigate to a device settings “about” page, take a screenshot of thedisplayed information, then provide a copy of that screenshot to the app(e.g., for a remote server to perform optical character recognition(OCR) on the screenshot), to identify the electronic device.

In block 807, the routine 800 receives user input identifying theelectronic device. For example, in some embodiments the user responds tothe displayed hierarchy of screen displays, identifying the electronicdevice's wireless carrier, make, model, storage capacity, etc. such asdescribed below with reference to FIGS. 9A-9D. In some embodiments, theuser responds to prompts by the app for information about the electronicdevice such as by choosing button options displayed on the screen of theelectronic device or by responding orally to audio prompts or questions.For example, the app can receive audio input from the user in responseto a prompt, transmit the audio input to a remote server (e.g., theremote server computer 404 of FIG. 4) for voice recognition, and receivethe recognized content of the user's response from the remote server.The app can also receive input of identifying information such as adevice model number and/or unique identifying information such as aserial number or IMEI from the user as described above. After receivingthe user input identifying the electronic device, the routine 800proceeds in block 810.

Returning to decision block 804, if the app is able to directly querythe electronic device, then in block 806, the routine 800 interrogatesthe electronic device via the app, obtaining information such as adevice identifier. For example, a user can download the app onto theuser's mobile phone, execute the app, and direct the app to evaluate themobile phone such as by selecting an option presented by the app toprice the electronic device. The app can be designed to run on aparticular software platform (e.g., iOS®, Android™, Windows®, etc.), sothat the app starts from the basis of already knowing the operatingsystem for which it is installed. In some embodiments, the app can beprogrammed with what kinds of information are available on thatplatform, and what interfaces (e.g., APIs or data stores) can be used toobtain that information. For example, the app can use APIs to accesslogs on a mobile phone to obtain information such as the number ofcharge—discharge cycles (to indicate the condition of the phone'srechargeable battery) and/or call logs (to indicate possible issues withradio hardware or software if calls recently were not successfullycompleted), etc. The information can include, for example, theelectronic device's MAC address, IMEI number, electronic serial number(ESN), Integrated Circuit Card Identifier (ICCID), manufacturer ID,model number, storage capacity, radio bands (e.g., frequency ranges andencoding such as CDMA, GSM, LTE, etc.), charge state, etc. In someembodiments, the app includes permissions to obtain various types ofinformation or access various resources of the electronic device onwhich the app is installed. For example, the application may beassociated with a set of permissions (e.g., Android™ manifestpermissions listed with <uses-permission> XML tags) that are selected bythe developer and automatically provided when the app is installed, orto which the user must agree before the app can be installed. As anotherexample, the app can request permission at runtime to obtain informationabout the electronic device and/or the user (e.g., an iOS® locationinformation permission dialog), and/or to access device features such asa camera and images taken by the camera.

In block 808, the routine 800 queries one or more databases using theidentifier to identify the electronic device and/or the device's state.For example, the app can construct a database query string based oninformation such as the model number, serial number, and/or IMEI of theelectronic device obtained by the interrogation of the electronicdevice. The app can use one or more local and/or remote databases, suchas a locally stored lookup table included in or associated with the appand/or a remotely hosted database or service for responding to queries.The local and/or remote database can be a data structure indexed againstdevice identifiers and/or configured to identify popular devices and/ordevices that the user has previously used or indicated owning. In someembodiments, for example, the app contains a database of several popularelectronic devices. The app can compare the information about theelectronic device to the information in the local database to determinewhether the electronic device is one of the several popular devices. Ifno match is found, the app can transmit a query to a remote server forcomparison against a database of a larger number of devices.

In block 809, the routine 800 receives information identifying theelectronic device and/or the device's state in response to the queryingdescribed above. For example, in response to a query including theelectronic device's model number, the app can receive a particularlyformatted identification of the device's maker, model designation, knownfeatures and/or characteristics, options and/or additionaldevice-specific information to prompt the user for, etc. The app canalso communicate with remote servers and/or services such as the GSMAIMEI Database (e.g., for parsing mobile phone IMEI numbers), a databaseof stolen devices (e.g., including device identifiers associated withpolice reports), and/or a service configured to provide data aboutwhether an electronic device is associated with a remote user account(e.g., Apple® GSX servers for iCloud® accounts). Using the responsesfrom such local and/or remote databases, the routine 800 can determinethe identity of the electronic device (e.g., its make and model) anddetermine whether the electronic device is in an acceptable state forprocessing at the kiosk 100 (e.g., determining whether the electronicdevice is subject to remote user control, as described below withreference to FIGS. 10 and 11).

In block 810, the routine 800 prompts the user to receive informationabout the electronic device and/or the electronic device's condition,such as configuration information that may be specific to the deviceand/or information that may not be available to the app via directinterrogation. For example, the app can prompt the user (e.g., bydisplaying a question on the screen of the electronic device and/or byplaying audio instructions to the user) to indicate whether there areany dead pixels on the electronic device's display screen (e.g., thetouch screen 342 of the device 330), to identify case damage, to revealwhether the electronic device is linked to a remote user accountenabling remote user control of the electronic device, etc. As anotherexample, for an electronic device that is or may be associated with asubscription or service (such as a mobile phone that requires carrierservice), the app can use the device's user interface to prompt the userto input information about when the user's contract for carrier service,if any, will terminate. In block 811, the routine 800 receivesinformation from the user about the electronic device and/or thecondition of the electronic device. For example, the app can receiveresponses from the user through the electronic device's user inputinterface, such as by text input, touchscreen button responses,checkboxes, etc. In some embodiments, the routine 800 uses audio voicerecognition, image analysis, gesture detection, accelerometer input,and/or other input means to receive interactive input from the user.

In block 812, the routine 800 requests information about the user and/orthe user's preferences. For example, before the user recycles theelectronic device at the kiosk 100, the app can request the user's name;prompt the user to pose for a photograph to compare with the user'sdriver's license photo and/or photos taken by the kiosk cameras 116;request the user's driver's license number; prompt the user forbiometric data such as a thumbprint; request user login credentials suchas a user ID and password; ask the user to enter his or her physicaland/or email address (e.g., for sending the user a receipt); requestpayment destination preference information; and so on.

In block 813, the routine 800 receives the information about the userand/or the user's preferences. For example, in response to the promptsdescribed above with reference to block 812, the app can receive thename that the user inputs; take the seller's photograph; obtain theuser's driver's license number; obtain biometric data such as athumbprint (e.g., using the fingerprint sensor on an Apple® iPhone® 5S,Samsung® Galaxy S5®, or HTC One® Max); receive user login credentialssuch as a user ID and password; receive the user's physical and/or emailaddress; obtain payment destination preference information; and so on.After block 813, the routine 800 ends.

In some embodiments, the routine 800 includes remote notification and/orsecurity features based on the information received about the electronicdevice and/or the user. For example, the routine 800 can obtain a pieceof information from more than one source and check the multiply-sourcedinformation for consistency. For example, to confirm that the seller isthe owner of the electronic device, the routine 800 can compare theuser's name entered by the user and/or on the user's driver's license toa name associated with the electronic device, such as an owner's nameassociated with a remote user account. If the names do not match, thenthe routine 800 can, for example, prompt the user to use the owner'scredentials to disassociate the device from the remote user account, orcan flag the device as potentially stolen. As another example, afterchecking the IMEI or other unique identifier on the electronic deviceagainst one or more databases as described above with reference to block808, the routine 800 may determine that the electronic device'sidentifier corresponds to a stolen device (or, e.g., a copied or clonedmobile phone). In those cases, the routine 800 can automatically notifythe user (e.g., via a message displayed on the screen of the electronicdevice) and/or the recorded owner, if the electronic device was reportedstolen (e.g., via an email message to the owner's address stored on theelectronic device), a service provider (e.g., the wireless servicecarrier 422 of a mobile phone), the device manufacturer 424, lawenforcement authorities, etc.). For example, the app can report thephone's location and user-identifying information received as describedabove with reference to block 810 to a law enforcement authority (e.g.,by sending an automated email message) to help the law enforcementauthority recover the electronic device and return it to the electronicdevice's owner. The capability to assist in recovering a stolen device(or, e.g., identify a cloned mobile phone that may be violating theowner's privacy and/or abusing the carrier's network) can encourageusers, carriers, and/or manufacturers to add the app to mobile phonesand/or other electronic devices.

In some embodiments, the present technology includes aggregatinginformation obtained as described above with reference to FIG. 8. Forexample, to refine the operation of the app and improve its usefulnessto users, the system can determine information about where users obtainthe app (e.g., from a website, from an app store, or from a kiosk 100);what kinds of devices are most popular for app users (e.g., on whatdevices users install the app, and what devices users price using theapp); user demographics; what app features are most popular; how oftenusers are in the vicinity of a kiosk 100 and how often the users use thekiosk 100; what percentage of users who price an electronic device usingthe app later recycle the electronic device at a kiosk 100, and how longusers usually take to bring their device to a kiosk 100; etc.

FIGS. 9A-9D are display diagrams illustrating screen displays foridentifying an electronic device in accordance with embodiments of thepresent technology. For example, a user who is running the app on amobile phone may want to price a tablet that is not running the app, ormay want to determine the value of an old mobile phone that does notpower up or does not have a network connection to download the app. Theapp can provide an interface configured to enable the user to quicklyidentify the electronic device.

Referring first to FIG. 9A, the display page 910 illustrates a list ofdevices for potential recycling, including mobile phones 914 and 918,and tablet 916. By way of example only, in the illustrated embodiment,the app is running on the mobile phone 918, which is indicated to be“Your Phone” with associated text. If the electronic device that theuser wishes to recycle is not listed, then the plus icon 912 enables theuser to add another device to the list of devices. By enabling the userto add multiple devices to be priced for recycling, the app providesflexibility and convenience for the user: the user can manage his or hervarious devices (e.g., tracking their value over time), decide whichdevices to recycle and when to recycle them, and bring multiple devicesto the kiosk 100 at once for recycling. In some embodiments, the appprovides aggregate information about the value of the electronic devicesin the user's list of devices for potential recycling.

In FIG. 9B, the display page 920 illustrates a device identificationinterface, as described above with reference to block 805 of FIG. 8. Theillustrated example enables the user to identify an electronic device bycarrier 922, brand 924, and model 928. For example, to cause the app todisplay the display page 920, the user could select the “Add Device”option 912 in FIG. 9A, and then select “AT&T” from a list of carriers(not shown). In the illustrated example, the user has selected thecarrier AT&T® 922 indicated by a check mark icon, and the app ishighlighting the “Brand?” indicator 924 and is presenting a list ofdevice manufacturer brands 926. The example list of device manufacturerbrands 926 includes “Samsung” in the center of the top row. The user canselect Samsung® as the manufacturer of the electronic device, such as bypressing the Samsung® icon on a touch screen. In FIG. 9C, the displaypage 930 illustrates that the user has chosen Samsung® 932 as themanufacturer, indicated by a check mark icon. The app is highlightingthe “Model?” indicator 934, and is presenting a list 936 of Samsung®devices for user selection to identify the model of the electronicdevice. In FIG. 9D, the display page 940 illustrates a completedselection of an electronic device 942: an AT&T® Samsung® Galaxy S5®mobile phone. After the user has identified the electronic device'scarrier, make (or brand), and model using the illustrated deviceidentification interface, the user can select the “Done” indicator 944.The app can then add the electronic device 942 to the list of devicesfor potential recycling.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a routine 1000 for preparing an electronicdevice for recycling in accordance with embodiments of the presenttechnology. In various embodiments, the app and/or a remote serveroperatively connectable to the app can perform some or all of theroutine 1000. In some instances, for example, the electronic device thata user wishes to sell for recycling (e.g., at a kiosk 100) may be in anunacceptable state for recycling. One example of an electronic device inan unacceptable state is an electronic device associated with a remoteuser account that enables remote user control of the electronic device,such as tracking the electronic device, initiating actions on theelectronic device (e.g., causing the electronic device to emit sounds ordisplay a message), locking the electronic device (and/or changing apassword to access or reactivate the electronic device), erasing datafrom the electronic device (a “remote wipe”) and/or disabling theelectronic device (a remote device “kill switch”). It is increasinglycommon for electronic devices such as computers, tablets, and mobilephones to be associated with remote user accounts. Examples of suchremote user accounts include cloud-based services provided by a devicemanufacturer, a wireless service carrier, or another third party. Forexample, an Android™ device user whose device is associated with aGoogle Play™ account can push AndroidLost™ remote device controlsoftware to the electronic device, enabling the user to remotely findand wipe the electronic device even after the user no longer haspossession of the electronic device. When an electronic device isassociated with such a remote user account, it may be password protectedor otherwise locked to that user's identity so that the electronicdevice cannot be reset and used by another individual (e.g., asubsequent purchaser). In addition, a remote user account may allow theaccount owner to remotely lock or disable the associated device toprevent anyone else from using it. For example, if an Apple® device suchas an iPhone is connected to an iCloud account, then the iPhone cannotbe recycled because the seller could remotely lock the iPhone andprevent it from being used by the buyer. As a result, an electronicdevice may not be marketable while the electronic device is associatedwith such a remote user account or other device control feature (e.g., acorporate device access and tracking system that is associated with anorganization or a computing system rather than a particular user).Accordingly, to sell such an electronic device at the kiosk 100, theuser should first disassociate the electronic device from the remoteuser account. The app enables the user to identify such issues and placethe electronic device in an acceptable state for recycling before theuser takes the electronic device to the kiosk 100.

In block 1002, the routine 1000 detects whether a remote user account isassociated with the electronic device. For example, the app can use anoperating system 331 API (FIG. 3) on the electronic device to determinewhether the electronic device is associated with a remote user account.As another example, to determine whether an Apple® device is associatedwith an iCloud® remote user account, the routine 1000 can query theApple® device manufacturer 424 servers (FIG. 4) (e.g., the GlobalService Exchange (GSX) servers at gsx.apple.com). In some embodiments,obtaining the information can include receiving user answers toquestions or prompts displayed to the user on the electronic device bythe app, and/or directing the user to perform an action that requiresthe electronic device to be unlocked and activated before the action canbe performed (e.g., displaying the electronic device's home screen). Insome embodiments, for example, the routine 1000 can detect that anelectronic device has been locked by a remote user account using queriesvia an electronic interface of the electronic device, and/or byanalyzing information displayed on the electronic device's screen (e.g.,if the user indicates that the electronic device is displaying a messagestating that the electronic device is lost and should be returned to itsowner). In some embodiments, the routine 1000 can also detect, forexample, whether a PIN or other code controls access to the electronicdevice, and/or whether an automatic reactivation lock is engaged on theelectronic device.

In decision block 1003, if no remote user account is detected, then theroutine 1000 proceeds in block 1014. Otherwise, if a remote user accounthas been detected, then the routine 1000 proceeds in block 1004. Inblock 1004, the routine 1000 informs the user that the electronic deviceis in an unacceptable state for recycling. For example, the app candisplay a message on the screen of the electronic device to alert theuser that the electronic device is in an unacceptable state forrecycling while it is associated with the remote user account, and askthe user if he or she wishes to change the state of the electronicdevice to prepare it for recycling.

In decision block 1006, if the user elects not to change the electronicdevice's state, the routine 1000 ends. If, however, the user elects tochange the electronic device's state to make it acceptable forrecycling, then in block 1008, the routine 1000 provides steps todisassociate the electronic device from the remote user account. Forexample, the app can cause the screen of the electronic device todisplay instructions that guide the user to perform the necessary stepsto deactivate the remote user account. The routine 1000 can displayinstructions including animated graphics or text, photographs, and/orvideo guidance, e.g., through the app running on the electronic deviceor on a separate device. In some embodiments, the routine 1000 updatesthe instructions as the user follows the instructions, for example, whenthe routine 1000 detects that an instruction has been followed,displaying the next instruction, until each step is complete. In someembodiments, in addition to presenting steps for the user to follow, theapp can assist the user to perform such steps. For example, the app canactivate a settings application or options screen and superimposeinstructions or highlight a control for the user to activate, or modifythe electronic device's settings with the user's permission (e.g.,prompting the user to enter a password to allow changes).

In block 1010, the routine 1000 checks whether the user hasdisassociated the electronic device from the remote user account,according to the steps provided in block 1008. In decision block 1012,the routine 1000 determines whether the user successfully disassociatedthe electronic device from the remote user account, as described above.If not, then the routine 1000 returns to block 1004 (e.g., notifying theuser that the state of the electronic device is still unacceptable forrecycling because the electronic device is still associated with theremote user account) and repeats as described above. If, on the otherhand, the user was successful, then in block 1014, the routine 1000informs the user that the electronic device is free of any remote devicecontrol feature of the remote user account and is accordingly in anacceptable state for recycling at a recycling kiosk 100. After block1014, the routine 1000 ends.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a routine 1100 for determining an offerprice for an electronic device subject to remote device control inaccordance with embodiments of the present technology. In variousembodiments, the app and/or a remote server operatively connectable tothe app can perform some or all of the routine 1100. For example, theroutine 1100 can be performed when a user's electronic device isassociated with a remote device control feature (e.g., a featureassociated with a remote user account). The user can run the app to findout how much the electronic device is worth without having to disablethe remote device control feature. The app can either prompt the user todisable the remote device control feature before providing an offerprice, or can provide an offer price that is contingent on the userdisabling the remote device control feature before recycling the deviceat the kiosk 100.

In block 1102, the routine 1100 obtains information about the electronicdevice (such as a mobile phone), as described above with reference to,e.g., FIG. 8 and FIG. 10. The routine 1100 can query, for example, theelectronic device and/or a service provided by the device manufacturer424 or another third party that provides remote device controlcapabilities. In decision block 1104, the routine 1100 determines, basedon the information, whether the electronic device is or might be subjectto a remote device control feature. For example, the electronic devicemay be associated with a remote user account that enables remote ownercontrol of the electronic device, such as a “kill switch” featureallowing the owner to disable the electronic device. If the informationindicates that the electronic device is not associated with a remoteuser account, or that the electronic device is associated only with aremote user account that does not include a remote device controlfeature (e.g., a webmail account that is removed from the electronicdevice by a factory reset of the electronic device), then the electronicdevice is not subject to a remote device control feature, and theroutine 1100 proceeds in block 1106. In block 1106, the routine 1100evaluates the electronic device and determines an offer price for theelectronic device, as described above with reference to FIG. 5.

On the other hand, if the information indicates that the electronicdevice could be associated with a remote user account including a remotedevice control feature that is enabled for the electronic device, theuser may be required to disable it before the electronic device can besold at a recycling kiosk 100. In block 1108, the routine 1100 informsthe user that because the electronic device may be subject to a remotedevice control feature, the electronic device is in an unacceptablestate for recycling. The routine 1100 prompts the user to indicate(e.g., via a dialog on the screen of the electronic device) whether theuser elects to disable the remote device control feature or receive acontingent price quote for the electronic device. For example, theroutine 1100 can provide a price quote that is contingent on theelectronic device being placed in an acceptable state for recyclingand/or a price quote that is contingent on an evaluation of theelectronic device at the kiosk 100 to confirm the electronic device'selectrical and/or physical condition. In some instances, for example,the user may want to determine the electronic device's value beforetaking the steps required to turn off a remote device control feature.In decision block 1110, the routine 1100 determines whether the userwants to receive a contingent offer price. If the user does want toreceive a contingent quote, then in block 1112, the routine 1100evaluates the electronic device and determines an offer price for theelectronic device, subject to the electronic device being in anacceptable state when the user proceeds to recycle the electronicdevice.

Otherwise, in block 1114, the routine 1100 prompts the user to disablethe remote device control feature, such as described above withreference to FIG. 10 and below with reference to FIGS. 12A-12C. Indecision block 1116, the routine 1100 determines whether the remote useraccount's device control feature has been disabled. If so, then theroutine 1100 proceeds in block 1106 as described above. If not, then theuser does not want a contingent quote but has not disabled the devicecontrol feature, so the routine 1100 does not provide an offer pricequote. After block 1106 or block 1116, the routine 1100 ends.

FIGS. 12A-12C are display diagrams illustrating device screen displaysassociated with disabling a remote device control feature in accordancewith embodiments of the present technology. In some embodiments, thesedisplay diagrams 12A-12C can be used in conjunction with the routinesdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. For example, if theapp determines that the electronic device is subject to a remote devicecontrol feature, and the user indicates an intent to prepare theelectronic device for recycling, then the app can display instructionsto disable the remote device control feature as depicted in FIGS.12A-12C. “Find My iPhone” is an example of a remote device controlfeature for Apple® iOS® devices that is described herein forillustrative purposes.

Referring first to FIG. 12A, the display page 1210 illustrates devicesettings for an Apple® iOS® device including a button or control 1212for the “Find My iPhone” feature. The control 1212 is illustrated in an“ON” state, indicating that the feature is active. As long as thefeature is active, the owner can attempt to locate and/or remotelydisable this electronic device if the electronic device were to be lostor stolen. For example, the user can log into his or her remote useraccount on icloud.com, select the electronic device, and press a buttonto play a sound on the electronic device, lock the electronic device andtrack its movement, or erase the electronic device. To prevent theelectronic device from being subject to such actions by the user afterthe user sells it at the kiosk 100, the app in this embodiment requiresthe user to deactivate the “Find My iPhone” feature.

FIG. 12B shows an enlarged portion of an instruction screen 1220 foraccessing the device settings control panel or application anddeactivating the “Find My iPhone” feature. The illustrated exampleinstructions 1222 guide the user to deactivate the “Find My iPhone”feature, such as by tapping or sliding the button or slider switchcontrol 1212 to the left to put it into an “OFF” state 1224. Forexample, the instructions can animate the control 1212/1224 to show theuser how to turn off the “Find My iPhone” feature. FIG. 12C shows anApple® iOS® device display page 1230 that requires user authenticationon the electronic device before the “Find My iPhone” feature can bedeactivated. After turning the control 1212 to the “OFF” state, theelectronic device requires the user to enter the device owner's accountpassword 1232. Only after the user enters the correct credentials canthe feature be turned off 1234. The display screens illustrated in FIGS.12A-12C are provided by way of example only, and the disclosedtechnology includes multiple other embodiments.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of a routine 1300 for preparing an electronicdevice for sale at a kiosk 100 in accordance with embodiments of thepresent technology. For example, before the user recycles the electronicdevice at the kiosk 100, the app can help the user prepare for a smoothtransaction by transmitting device information to the kiosk 100,verifying that the electronic device is free of remote user accounts,helping the user back up personal content on the electronic device,and/or assisting the user to erase the electronic device. In variousembodiments, the app a remote server operatively connectable to the app,and/or one of the kiosks 100 can perform some or all of the routine1300.

In block 1302, the routine 1300 receives a request to prepare theelectronic device for sale. For example, the app can display a “Prep mydevice for recycling!” option that the user can select (e.g., via thetouch screen display of the electronic device). As another example,after the app presents an offer price to the user (e.g., as describedabove with reference to FIG. 5), if the user indicates that he or shewants to take the next step to recycle the electronic device for theoffer price, the app can prompt the user to prepare the electronicdevice for recycling at the kiosk 100.

In block 1304, the routine 1300 obtains information about the electronicdevice and/or about the user to facilitate the sale of the electronicdevice at the kiosk 100. Examples of some information that the routine1300 can obtain are described above with reference to FIG. 8. Forexample, the app can retrieve from a data structure maintained by theapp on the electronic device a unique identifier for the electronicdevice and information about the latest offer price for the electronicdevice. In block 1305, the routine 1300 sends the information about theelectronic device and/or the user to one or more of the kiosks 100 sothat the kiosks 100 can recognize and more quickly purchase theelectronic device. In some embodiments, the app can transmit the uniqueidentifier for the electronic device and information about the latestoffer price for the electronic device to a remote server computer 404,to a cloud storage service 426, to the kiosk operator 432, and/or to theuser's computer 418 (e.g., to another device running the app). Forexample, the kiosk 100 can receive or retrieve the information from theremote server 404. In other embodiments, the app can prompt the user tosubmit user identification information, such as a self-photograph,thumbprint, driver's license information, etc., to speed or skip someidentification steps at the kiosk 100, such as the user verificationsteps described above with reference to FIG. 2C.

In block 1306, the routine 1300 verifies that the electronic device isin an acceptable state for purchasing at the kiosk 100. In someembodiments, for example, the app can determine in conjunction with aremote server whether the electronic device is subject to amanufacturer-provided or carrier-provided remote user account thatincludes a remote device control feature, and direct the user to removethe electronic device from the account before recycling it, as describedabove with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. In other embodiments, the appcan search information stored locally on the electronic device for anyaccounts that may still be active on the user's device (including, e.g.,Internet banking accounts and/or other services configured to recognizethe electronic device), and help the user to disassociate the electronicdevice from such accounts. To identify such accounts, the app can, forexample, take an inventory of other apps present on the electronicdevice (e.g., a financial company app or a webmail service app), directthe user to review Web services commonly associated with automaticdevice-based login, etc.

In block 1308, the routine 1300 determines whether user content on theelectronic device has been backed up. For example, the app can promptthe user to indicate whether he or she performs local data backupsand/or uses an automatic cloud-synced backup service. If the userindicates that data should be backed up to a network service, the appcan check for online backups of the user's images, notes, contacts,and/or calendar appointments. In decision block 1310 if the user'scontent has not been backed up, then in block 1312 the routine 1300 canprompt the user to save copies of such information (as well aspasswords, bookmarks, and other personal content) in a local archiveand/or cloud-based storage, and/or can provide a backup service to helpthe user transfer data off the electronic device to prepare theelectronic device for recycling. If the user's content has been backedup, then in block 1314, the routine 1300 assists the user to erase theelectronic device. For example, the app can instruct the user to performa reset of the electronic device to return it to a factory-originalstate, such as by displaying steps for the user to perform on the screenof the electronic device and/or by emailing a list of instructions tothe user. In some embodiments, the app prompts the user for permissionto perform a factory reset of the electronic device when the user sellsthe electronic device at the kiosk 100. After block 1314, the routine1300 ends.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are display diagrams illustrating screen displaysassociated with guiding a user to a device recycling kiosk 100 inaccordance with embodiments of the present technology. For example,after the user has prepared his or her electronic device for recyclingand/or received an offer price for the electronic device, the user maywant to know where to go to recycle the electronic device. The app candisplay on the screen of the electronic device, for example, maps,addresses, and/or directions to the recycling kiosks 100.

Referring first to FIG. 14A, the display page 1410 illustrates amap-based interface 1412 showing kiosk locations. By way ofillustration, the app displays the kiosk location information inresponse to the user selecting an “ATM Locator” option 1418. Forexample, the highlighted icon 1414 indicates a currently available kiosk100. An information panel 1416 about another kiosk 100 includes a name,street address, whether the kiosk 100 is operative (and, e.g., free orin use), and directions icon for the app to provide turn-by-turndirections to the kiosk 100 (e.g., via a separate mapping application).For example, the app can automatically present the information panel1416 about the nearest kiosk 100. In FIG. 14B, the display page 1420illustrates a list-based interface 1422 showing kiosk locations. Forexample, the list 1422 includes the same highlighted icon 1414, and theinformation panel 1416 expanded to show the full address and hours ofoperation of the kiosk 100, as well as indication that it is in anindoor location.

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of a routine 1500 for notifying a user of achange in device value or a reminder in accordance with embodiments ofthe present technology. In various embodiments, the app and/or a remoteserver operatively connectable to the app can perform some or all of theroutine 1500. In various instances, for example, it can be useful forthe app to notify or remind the user to take an electronic device to akiosk 100 for recycling. For example, after the user receives an offerprice for the electronic device (e.g., at the kiosk 100 or using the appas described above with reference to FIG. 5), the user may notimmediately recycle the electronic device. The user may wait to recyclethe electronic device, or may forget to recycle the electronic device.By providing a reminder to the user such as a price change notification,the routine 1500 can encourage the user to recycle the electronic devicewhile the electronic device still has market value.

In block 1502, the routine 1500 selects an electronic device that theuser has not recycled. For example, in some embodiments the routine 1500selects one or more of the devices associated with the user, such as allof the devices that are in the user's list of devices for recycling(e.g., the list of devices 910 illustrated in FIG. 9A). As anotherexample, the app can select the electronic device on which the app isrunning. The routine 1500 can contact a remote server to verify whetherthe user has recycled a listed electronic device. In some embodiments,the routine 1500 associates the user with each device on which the userhas used the app; when the user starts using the app with a differentdevice, the app can inquire about the new device and/or the old device.

In decision block 1504, the routine 1500 determines whether the user haspriced the electronic device. For example, the routine 1500 candetermine whether or not the user has priced the electronic device usinge.g., the app as described above with reference to FIG. 5, or the kiosk100. If the user has not received an offer price for the electronicdevice, then in block 1506, the routine 1500 reminds the user to pricethe electronic device for recycling at the recycling kiosk 100. Forexample, the app can send the user a notification on the electronicdevice (e.g., displaying a message on the display, illuminating an LED,vibrating a buzzer, playing a sound, etc.) and/or a remote server cansend the user a notification such as an email or a text message toremind the user about the opportunity to recycle the electronic device,to offer a coupon or special deal to the user, etc. After block 1506,the routine 1500 ends.

On the other hand, if the user has received an offer price for theelectronic device, then in block 1508, the routine 1500 compares theoffer price for the electronic device to a current price for theelectronic device. For example, either the app or a server computer(e.g., the server computer 404 of FIG. 4) can retrieve the previouslydetermined offer price for the electronic device. The app and/or theserver computer can determine a current price for the electronic device,as described above with reference to FIG. 5. In some embodiments,determining a current price of the electronic device includes projectinga future value of the electronic device, or future values over time.

Electronic devices commonly lose value over time, although depending onsupply and demand the price for an electronic device can also rise. Indecision block 1510, the routine 1500 identifies whether the electronicdevice's current price has changed from, e.g., the offer price, or ifthe user has previously received a price change notification, from thelast price that the user was notified of. For example, the app canidentify a real or projected change in the price of the electronicdevice. In some embodiments, the routine 1500 uploads data aboutelectronic device prices to the app (e.g., on a periodic basis, such asdaily) and the app checks for changes in prices for electronic devicesabout which the app has obtained information, such as the electronicdevices in the user's list of devices for recycling. In someembodiments, the routine 1500 checks for a change in the value of apreviously priced device after a set period of time, or receives amessage to alert users of a particular make and model of device whenthat device's value will change or has changed significantly.

If the price of the electronic device has not changed, then in decisionblock 1512, the routine 1500 determines whether a threshold period oftime has elapsed. For example, the routine 1500 can wait until the userhas had an opportunity to bring the electronic device to the recyclingkiosk 100 before sending the user a reminder to do so. In someembodiments, when the user uses the app to re-price the electronicdevice and/or to locate the kiosk 100 the routine 1500 resets thethreshold period of time. In some embodiments, the threshold period oftime is measured against the amount of time since the offer price, sincethe user's last activity with the app (e.g., on a particular electronicdevice or on any of the user's electronic devices), and/or since theroutine 1500 provided the most recent notification to the user. If thethreshold period of time has not passed, then after block 1512, theroutine 1500 ends. If, on the other hand, the threshold period of timehas passed, then in block 1514, the routine 1500 reminds the user torecycle the electronic device. For example, the routine 1500 can beconfigured to send the user a device recycling reminder (such asdescribed above with respect to block 1506) after a day, a week, and/ora month. In some embodiments, the routine 1500 can be configured toremind the user to recycle the electronic device before the currentoffer price expires. After block 1514, the routine 1500 ends.

Returning to decision block 1510, if the current price of the electronicdevice has changed from the offer price, then in block 1516, the routine1500 notifies the user of the change in price. For example, the app cansend the user a notification on the electronic device and/or a remoteserver can send the user an email or text message to notify the userthat the price of the user's device has risen or fallen or is expectedto rise or fall, and/or to offer a coupon or special deal to the user,etc. As another example, if the price of the electronic device changeswhile the offer price for the electronic device is still valid, then theapp can inform the user that the user can sell the electronic device atthe kiosk 100 for the offer price if he or she brings the electronicdevice to the kiosk 100 within a set period of time. In someembodiments, the app enables the user to set a preference or configurean alert to notify the user if the price of the electronic devicechanges. After block 1516, the routine 1500 ends.

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of a routine 1600 for providing alocation-based notification in accordance with embodiments of thepresent technology. In various embodiments, the app and/or a remoteserver operatively connectable to the app can perform some or all of theroutine 1600. In some instances, for example, a user who is ready torecycle his or her electronic device may not be aware that a recyclingkiosk 100 is nearby. By providing the user a location-basednotification, the routine 1600 can remind the user of the opportunity torecycle the electronic device, and inform the user of a locationconvenient to the user where the user can recycle the electronic device.

In block 1602, the routine 1600 detects the electronic device'slocation. For example, if the app is running on the electronic device(e.g., on a mobile phone), the app can determine its approximate orprecise location, such as via a GPS location estimate, a mobile carriertower location fix, Wi-Fi network data referencing, a device operatingsystem-provided location service, a user-entered ZIP code, etc. In block1604, the routine 1600 determines kiosk locations. For example, the appcan query a service (e.g., a web service provided by the server computer404) to obtain information about kiosks 100 in the vicinity of theelectronic device's location, such as a list of the nearest n kiosklocations. In some embodiments, the app can store information aboutkiosks 100 in areas previously visited by the user, such as kiosks 100in a city in which the user accesses the app.

In decision block 1606, the routine 1600 determines whether theelectronic device is near a kiosk 100. For example, the proximitydetermination can include projecting the electronic device's locationbased on current movement and/or previous location patterns. As anotherexample, detecting whether the kiosk 100 is close to the electronicdevice can include detecting a wireless signal from the kiosk 100,indicating that the electronic device is within range of a wirelessnetwork of the kiosk 100. In some embodiments, if the routine 1600detects a wireless signal from the kiosk 100, the electronic device canautomatically wirelessly connect to the kiosk 100.

If the electronic device is not near any kiosk 100, then the routine1600 ends. If, however, the electronic device is near the kiosk 100,then in block 1608, the routine 1600 notifies the user (e.g., asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 15). For example, the routine1600 can alert the user that the kiosk 100 is nearby and available,and/or offer a coupon or special deal to the user, etc. In someembodiments, the routine 1600 presents a notification to the user onlyif the user has expressed a preference or otherwise agreed to receivesuch notifications, and/or if the user has priced the electronic devicefor sale at the kiosk 100. For example, the routine 1600 can notify theuser that the user can complete the contemplated sale of the electronicdevice for the previously determined price at the nearby kiosk 100,enabling the user to complete the sale of his or her device withoutneeding to travel far. In addition, the localized notification enablesthe system to provide location-specific incentives, such as discountsredeemable at merchants located close to the kiosk 100. After block1608, the routine 1600 ends.

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of a routine 1700 for transmitting informationabout an electronic device from the electronic device to a kiosk 100 inaccordance with embodiments of the present technology. In variousembodiments, a mobile app configured in accordance with the presenttechnology can perform some or all of the routine 1700. In someinstances, for example, a user may want to recycle the electronic devicebut may not want to transmit information about the electronic device toa remote server. In other instances, a user may want to recycle anelectronic device, but the user does not have a network connection totransmit information to a remote server. In some embodiments such asthese, the routine 1700 can obtain information about the electronicdevice to be transferred to the kiosk 100, for example, when the userbrings the electronic device to the kiosk 100.

In block 1702, the routine 1700 obtains information about the electronicdevice. For example, the routine 1700 can obtain device identifiers suchas the electronic device's MAC address, IMEI number, electronic serialnumber (ESN), Integrated Circuit Card Identifier (ICCID), etc.; andother information useful to identify and price the electronic device,such as its make and model, storage capacity, radio bands (e.g.,frequency ranges and encoding such as CDMA, GSM, LTE, etc.), chargestate, etc. The information about the electronic device can alsoinclude, for example, information generated and/or stored by the app,such as an offer price for the electronic device; a price history forthe electronic device; the results of evaluation of the electronicdevice performed by the app (e.g., CPU performance data); informationsubmitted to the app by the user (e.g., information about remote useraccounts and/or the condition of the electronic device); informationabout the user's use of the app; an app-stored code identifying theelectronic device, the user, and/or an offer for the electronic device,etc.

In block 1704, the routine 1700 determines that the electronic device isnear (e.g., in the proximity of) the kiosk 100. For example, the app cantrack the location of the electronic device with which it is associated(e.g., as described above with reference to FIG. 16) and determine thatthe device's location is near a known kiosk location. As anotherexample, the device's user may indicate to the app that he or she hasbrought the electronic device to the kiosk 100 (e.g., by activating an“I'm at the Kiosk Now!” function of the app). In some embodiments, theroutine 1700 determines that the electronic device and the kiosk 100 arein close proximity based on detecting wireless signals. For example, aWi-Fi access point or base station associated with the kiosk 100 cantransmit packets advertising the access point's station ID (e.g., BSSIDand/or SSID) on various channels via its wireless transceiver 324. Insome embodiments, the app is configured to recognize IDs associated withkiosk access points, and/or to automatically connect (or, e.g., toprompt the user to connect the electronic device) to a wirelessconnection provided by the kiosk 100, such as a Wi-Fi or Bluetoothnetwork.

In block 1706, the routine 1700 establishes communication between theelectronic device and the kiosk 100. In some embodiments, establishingcommunication includes directing the user to make a wired connectionbetween the kiosk 100 and the electronic device, such as by providing anappropriate connector (e.g., a micro-USB or Lightning connector) andinstructions for attaching the connector to the electronic device asdescribed above with reference to, e.g., FIG. 2C. In other embodiments,establishing communication includes establishing a wireless link fordata transfer. For example, the kiosk 100 can provide a wireless networkor peer-to-peer connection for communication with the electronic device,such as a radio link (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC), an optical link(e.g., IrDA, laser, or screen-based), and/or an audio link (e.g.,high-frequency or ultrasound).

In some embodiments, establishing the wireless link can include the appdisplaying instructions to the user and/or authentication informationfor the user to enter on the electronic device and/or on the kiosk 100.For example, the app can present textual and/or graphical instructionsor video guidance on the electronic device's screen (e.g., the screen342 of the device 330) and/or play audio instructions through theelectronic device's speaker (e.g., the speaker 344). The instructionscan include, for example, a code or other identifier to facilitatelinking of the electronic device with the kiosk 100. Establishing thewireless link can also include receiving user input or confirmation atthe electronic device. For example, to pair a Bluetooth-enabled devicewith a kiosk Bluetooth connection, the app can direct the user toperform one or more steps such as activating the electronic device'sBluetooth radio, making the electronic device discoverable, selectingthe kiosk 100 with the user interface of the electronic device,initiating a pairing process, providing a Bluetooth pairing code thatthe user can type on the keyboard or screen of the electronic device oron the touchscreen 308 of the kiosk 100 or that the app can enter,and/or confirming that the connection should be allowed. As anotherexample, the kiosk 100 can provide a Wi-Fi network. The app can causethe electronic device to join the Wi-Fi network or prompt the user tocause the electronic device to join the Wi-Fi network by, for example,activating a Wi-Fi radio on the electronic device, selecting the kiosk'snetwork, inputting a particular password, etc. Establishing the wirelesslink can also include the app directing the user to perform actions suchas swiping an NFC-enabled device against or in close proximity to akiosk NFC sensor (e.g., within a few inches), or aligning the electronicdevice's optical transceiver with an optical transceiver of the kiosk100 (e.g., by pointing a laser or an infrared LED or sensor at adesignated optical window or device on the kiosk 100, or aiming orplacing the electronic device's screen against a window or in front of acamera such as the camera 116 on the kiosk 100). In other embodiments,the routine 1700 can provide a visual code or image (e.g., a QR code)for the user to scan using the app on the electronic device, such thatscanning the code or image prompts the electronic device to connect tothe kiosk's wireless network (e.g., upon user confirmation).

In block 1708, once communication has been established, the routine 1700transmits information from and/or about the electronic device to thekiosk 100 via the wired or wireless connection. The transmittedinformation can include information about the electronic device obtainedby the app that could not be directly accessed by the kiosk 100 via theelectrical inspection described above in connection with FIG. 2C. Forexample, the information can include data about user accounts,performance history data, user-submitted data about the condition of theelectronic device, etc. The kiosk 100 can use the information to moreaccurately evaluate and price the electronic device. After block 1708,the routine 1700 ends.

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram of a routine 1800 for remotely pricing anelectronic device (e.g., a mobile phone) for recycling at a kiosk 100 inaccordance with embodiments of the present technology. In variousembodiments, the kiosk 100 and/or a remote server operativelyconnectable to the kiosk 100 can perform some or all of the routine1800. In various embodiments, the routine 1800 can be performed inharmony with the routine 500 performed by the app described above on theelectronic device, which can be remote from the kiosk 100. For example,the kiosk 100 and/or a remote server can provide software to beinstalled on the electronic device, remotely receive information aboutthe electronic device via the software installed on the electronicdevice, use the received information to provide an offer price for theelectronic device, and record the offer price so that the user canquickly recycle the electronic device for the quoted offer price whenthe user brings the electronic device to the kiosk 100.

In block 1802, the routine 1800 provides software (e.g., an app) toinstall on the electronic device. The routine 1800 can provide thesoftware to the electronic device from, e.g., the kiosk 100 (e.g.,sideloading an app over a wired or wireless data connection), through awebsite (e.g., a website associated with the kiosk operator 432), from asoftware repository run by the device manufacturer 424 or a third party(e.g., the Apple® App Stores℠, Google Play™ store, Amazon® Appstore™,and so on), etc. In block 1804, the routine 1800 receives informationabout the electronic device and/or the user via the software on theelectronic device. For example, the user may download and run the app onthe electronic device to obtain information as described above regardingFIG. 8, and the app can store and/or transmit information about theelectronic device, such as to a remote server computer 404 as describedabove with reference to FIG. 5. As another example, in some instances,when the user installs the app on the electronic device, the system canreceive or obtain a stored or transmitted report of the installation(e.g., from the device manufacturer 424 or from the software repositorythat provided the app to the electronic device). In various embodiments,the routine 1800 can access the stored or transmitted information, suchas by receiving the information at the server computer 404.

In block 1806, the routine 1800 records one or more identifiers of theelectronic device and/or the user. Examples of identifiers include theIMEI of a mobile phone, the serial number of a laptop computer, a uniquewireless identifier of the electronic device such as a Wi-Fi interfacemedia access control address (MAC address), a derived code such as aunique hash (based on, e.g., the information received in block 1804),and a serially or randomly assigned code such as the code given to theuser as described above with reference to FIG. 5. The routine 1800 canrecord the identifiers in a registry database that indexes identifiersagainst devices to which the software has been installed, devices thatthe system has priced (e.g., remotely via the software), and/or devicesthat the kiosk 100 has previously evaluated, for example. The databasecan be, for example, one or more of the databases 406 associated withthe server computer 404 (FIG. 4), can be stored in the cloud storagefacility 426, can be distributed among the kiosks 100, and so on. Forexample, the routine 1800 can register the electronic device and/or theuser for recognition at the kiosk 100 by saving one or more of theidentifiers in such a registry. The routine 1800 can store some or allof the registry in one or more local or remote databases (e.g., thedatabase 406), and/or can provide the registry to one or more of thekiosks 100. In some embodiments, the routine 1800 sends only a portionof the registry to a particular kiosk 100, such as information aboutregistered devices in the same geographic area as the kiosk 100 (e.g.,within the same city or state), limiting the volume of data transmittedto the kiosk 100.

In block 1808, the routine 1800 evaluates the electronic device based onthe information. On a server remotely located from the electronic device(e.g., the server computer 404), for example, the routine 1800 can applythe received information to a database of prices, such as a lookuptable, pricing model, or other data structure containing prices forvarious electronic devices. The system can use the identifier, forexample, to determine the make and model of the electronic device, anduse the make and model of the electronic device (along with, e.g.,information about the condition of the electronic device) to determine aprice to offer for the electronic device based on the data in thedatabase or pricing model. In some embodiments, the routine 1800 candetermine an offer price that enables the user to receive the price inexchange for recycling the electronic device at the kiosk 100. In someembodiments, the routine 1800 can determine an offer price for theelectronic device that is contingent on an assessment of the visualcondition of the electronic device at the kiosk 100 such as describedabove with reference to FIG. 2B. In some embodiments, the routine 1800can determine an offer price that includes a range of prices based onthe possible outcomes of such an assessment. In some instances, theelectronic device may have no market value. In various embodiments, thepricing data is updated on a continuous or periodic basis.

In block 1810, the routine 1800 sends to the electronic device an offerprice quote to purchase the electronic device based on the evaluation.In some embodiments, the routine 1800 sends the offer price quote fromthe server to the software app running on the electronic device. Inblock 1812, the routine 1800 associates the quoted price with theelectronic device and/or the user. For example, the routine 1800 canstore information about the price quote, the electronic device, and/orthe user in the database 406 (e.g., in the registry described above),and/or in one or more data structures maintained by the software on theelectronic device, by the kiosk 100, and/or by other aspects of thepresent technology. After block 1812, the routine 1800 ends. An exampleroutine for recycling the electronic device when the user brings theelectronic device to the kiosk 100 is described above with reference toFIG. 6.

FIG. 19 is a flow diagram of a routine 1900 for accommodating useraccessibility needs in accordance with embodiments of the presenttechnology. In various embodiments, the app and/or the kiosk 100 canperform some or all of the routine 1900. For example, the app canfacilitate use of the kiosk 100 by users who have special accessibilityneeds such as visual or auditory impairments. The app can augment thetechnology provided at the kiosk 100 to help provide an ADA-compliantinterface.

In block 1902, the routine 1900 receives information about accessibilityneeds of the user. For example, the app can receive input from the userat the electronic device running the app requesting an accessibleinterface; or the app can take note of user settings on the electronicdevice associated with accessibility needs, e.g., through an operatingsystem accessibility API; or the app can detect a braille interface orother assistive technology attached and/or operatively connected (suchas via a Bluetooth connection) to the user's device. In some instances,the app can be running on an electronic device that the user utilizes asan accessibility aid to recycle a different electronic device. In someembodiments, the routine 1900 can receive input from the user at thekiosk 100 requesting an accessible interface, e.g., at the kiosk's touchscreen 104 interface or by voice input through the kiosk's microphone.

In block 1904, the routine 1900 establishes a link between theelectronic device and the kiosk, such as by wireless communication, asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 17. In block 1906, the routine1900 transmits information describing user interface accessibility needsof the user for a recycling transaction at the kiosk 100. For example,the app can transmit accessibility information directly from theelectronic device to the kiosk 100, and/or record accessibilityinformation in connection with a remote server before the user's arrivalat the kiosk 100. As another example, if the kiosk 100 has received theuser's input requesting an accessible interface, the kiosk 100 cantransmit the information about the user's accessibility needs to theelectronic device, e.g., to enable the app to provide part of anaccessible interface for the user.

In block 1908, the routine 1900 provides an accessible user interfacebased on the information. For example, the routine 1900 can cause thekiosk 100 to behave differently based on the information describing theuser's interface accessibility needs, such as by displaying messages onthe kiosk's touch screen 104 in a large font size or in colors adaptedfor readability by a colorblind user. As another example, the app candisplay or play information relevant to the transaction at the kiosk 100via the electronic device's assistive technology, so that the appenables the user to use the electronic device as an enhanced and/oralternative interface for the kiosk 100. For example, if the electronicdevice has a braille display, the routine 1900 can send messagesdisplayed on the kiosk's display screen 104 to the app, and the app candisplay the messages so that they are displayed on the braille display.After block 1908, the routine 1900 ends.

FIG. 20 is a flow diagram of a routine 2000 for determining that theelectronic device has been properly received by the kiosk 100 inaccordance with embodiments of the present technology. In variousembodiments, the app can perform some or all of the routine 2000. In atypical recycling transaction at a kiosk 100, for example, the userplaces the electronic device, such as a mobile phone 250, in the kiosk100, the mobile phone 250 is binned, and the user is paid for the mobilephone 250 as described above with reference to, e.g., FIGS. 2A-2D. Afraudulent user, however, may attempt to switch the mobile phone 250 fora less valuable object. For example, after pricing the mobile phone 250and bringing the mobile phone 250 to the kiosk 100 to receive the quotedprice (e.g., connecting the mobile phone 250 to the kiosk's wirelessnetwork to confirm that it is at the kiosk 100 for recycling), thefraudulent user may attempt to instead submit a non-operative objectthat looks like the mobile phone 250. The mobile phone 250, however, candetect if it has not been properly submitted for recycling at the kiosk100, and can send a message to the kiosk 100. In various embodiments,the present technology can help to confirm that the electronic devicereceived by the kiosk 100 is the electronic device that the appdescribed above evaluated and priced for sale at the kiosk 100.

In block 2002 of the routine 2000, when a user brings his or herelectronic device with the app to the kiosk 100, the app establishescommunication between the electronic device and the kiosk 100, asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 17. In block 2004, the routine2000 detects the location of the electronic device, such as describedabove with reference to FIG. 16. In various embodiments, the routine2000 determines the location of the electronic device after the kiosk100 has directed the user to submit the electronic device at the kiosk100 for the kiosk to collect the device (e.g., in the collection bin 234of FIGS. 2A-2D). In some embodiments, the routine 2000 detects theelectronic device's location by checking the electronic device's signalstrength and/or continuity, including changes in the electronic device'ssignal strength. For example, if the kiosk inspection area 108 behindthe access panel or door 106 of FIG. 1 is configured to, for example,reflect wireless signals within the inspection area and/or attenuatewireless signals from outside the inspection area, then the app canobserve whether such wireless signals are reflected or attenuated whenthe access panel or door 106 is closed, and thereby detect whether theelectronic device appears to be within the inspection area 108. In someembodiments, the app can use an indoor positioning system (IPS) to trackthe position of the electronic device. In some embodiments, the app cancause the electronic device to take a photograph when the electronicdevice is supposed to be within the kiosk 100, and can analyze whetherthe photograph looks like a picture of the interior of the kiosk 100 orof a test pattern, and whether the photograph is of a resolutionequivalent to that produced by the type of camera expected to be foundin that device model.

In decision block 2006, the routine 2000 determines whether the deviceis in the proper location. For example, the routine 2000 can determinewhether the detected location of the electronic device appears to beconsistent with the expected location of the electronic device (e.g.,within the inspection area 108 of the kiosk 100). If the routine 2000determines that the device is in the proper location, then afterdecision block 2006 the routine 2000 ends. Otherwise, in block 2008, theroutine 2000 sends a message to the kiosk 100 (e.g., from the app viathe established communication link between the electronic device and thekiosk 100) indicating that the electronic device has not been properlysubmitted for recycling at the kiosk 100. For example, if the apptransmits such a message to the kiosk 100, the kiosk 100 can decline thesubmitted object that appears not to be the electronic device runningthe app. After block 2008, the routine 2000 ends.

FIG. 21 is a flow diagram of a routine 2100 for facilitating evaluationof an electronic device at a kiosk 100 in accordance with embodiments ofthe present technology. In various embodiments, the app and the kiosk100 can perform some or all of the routine 2100. For example, the appcan enable the kiosk 100 to evaluate features and components of theelectronic device that might not be testable otherwise. The app on theelectronic device can activate various features and components of theelectronic device in coordination with the kiosk's tests to morecompletely verify the operation and capabilities of the electronicdevice.

In block 2102, the routine 2100 determines that the kiosk 100 is readyto perform an evaluation of the electronic device, such as theelectrical and/or visual evaluation described above with reference toFIGS. 2B-2C. For example, the electronic device can be electricallyconnected to the kiosk 100 (wired or wirelessly, such as described abovewith reference to FIG. 17) and running the app, and the kiosk 100 cansend a signal to the device that runs a program on the electronic deviceto test various features of the electronic device.

In step 2104, the routine 2100 activates one or more device features forevaluation by the kiosk 100. For example, the app can enable a detailedtest of the display of the electronic device, displaying one or moretest patterns on the display screen such that the cameras in the kiosk100 can more clearly see any damaged pixels or areas of the display.Such patterns can include an all-black screen revealing any pixels thatare stuck “on” instead of all black; an all-white screen revealing anypixels that are not white; and/or a red screen, a green screen, and ablue screen, to test the color range of each pixel of a typical RGB LCDscreen. Additional test patterns can include checkerboard and/or linepatterns to reveal pixels that bleed over into their neighbors, forexample. The app can activate other features of the electronic devicesuch as the electronic device's speaker, wireless transceiver, cameraflash, etc.

In decision block 2106, the routine 2100 determines whether all of theelectronic device features selected to be tested have been activated. Ifnot all the tests have been performed, then the routine 2100 continuesin block 2104, activating the next feature to be tested (e.g., accordingto a predetermined testing regimen, or upon receiving a signal from thekiosk 100). For example, a corresponding process performed by the kiosk100 can select a series of tests to perform (e.g., based on the featuresof the electronic device and/or on information about the condition ofthe specific electronic device to be tested), send a message to the appdescribing the tests to perform, signal the app when the app shouldproceed to the next test, etc. In some embodiments, the app can beconfigured to test various features of devices according to theelectronic device type (e.g., mobile phone, camera, laptop computer,etc.) and model, and/or based on what features may have a significanteffect on the value of the electronic device. After each selectedfeature has been tested, the routine 2100 ends.

The present technology allows devices of various types that can run orbe evaluated by a software application, such as mobile phones(smartphones and feature phones, for example), tablet computers,wearable computers, game devices, media players, laptop and desktopcomputers, etc. (e.g., the device 330) to be evaluated to facilitatepurchasing by an automated kiosk 100. The present technology enables theuser to submit information about the electronic device and/or the user,obtain a price quote for the electronic device, prepare the electronicdevice for recycling, assist the user with bringing the electronicdevice to the kiosk 100, and facilitate the transaction so that the usercan sell the electronic device at the kiosk 100 with greater certaintyand speed.

The present technology includes various other types and embodiments ofrecycling machines. For example, the present technology includesembodiments such as a countertop recycling station and/or a retailstore-based interface operated by or with the assistance of a retailemployee (such as a partially automated system). As another example, thepresent technology includes embodiments such as a recycling machineconfigured to accept all kinds of devices, including larger items (e.g.,desktop and laptop computers, televisions, gaming consoles, DVRs, etc.).

The above Detailed Description of examples and embodiments of theinvention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention tothe precise form disclosed above. Although specific examples for theinvention are described above for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention,as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.

References throughout the foregoing description to features, advantages,or similar language do not imply that all of the features and advantagesthat may be realized with the present technology should be or are in anysingle embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to thefeatures and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present technology. Thus,discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language,throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to thesame embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics ofthe present technology may be combined in any suitable manner in one ormore embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize thatthe present technology can be practiced without one or more of thespecific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In otherinstances, additional features and advantages may be recognized incertain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of thepresent technology.

Any patents and applications and other references noted above, includingany that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporatedherein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, ifnecessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the variousreferences described above to provide yet further implementations of theinvention.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the terms “connected,”“coupled,” or any variant thereof means any connection or coupling,either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling orconnection between the elements can be physical, logical, or acombination thereof. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,”and words of similar import, when used in this application, refer tothis application as a whole and not to any particular portions of thisapplication. Where the context permits, words in the above DetailedDescription using the singular or plural number may also include theplural or singular number respectively. The word “or,” in reference to alist of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretationsof the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list,and any combination of the items in the list.

The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to othersystems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements andacts of the various examples described above can be combined to providefurther implementations of the invention. Some alternativeimplementations of the invention may include not only additionalelements to those implementations noted above, but also may includefewer elements. Further any specific numbers noted herein are onlyexamples: alternative implementations may employ differing values orranges.

Although the above description describes various embodiments of theinvention and the best mode contemplated, regardless how detailed theabove text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Details of thesystem may vary considerably in its specific implementation, while stillbeing encompassed by the present technology. As noted above, particularterminology used when describing certain features or aspects of theinvention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is beingredefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics,features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology isassociated. In general, the terms used in the following claims shouldnot be construed to limit the invention to the specific examplesdisclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Descriptionsection explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope ofthe invention encompasses not only the disclosed examples, but also allequivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention under theclaims.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments ofthe invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration,but that various modifications may be made without deviating from thespirit and scope of the various embodiments of the invention. Further,while various advantages associated with certain embodiments of theinvention have been described above in the context of those embodiments,other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not allembodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within thescope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited,except as by the appended claims.

Although certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certainclaim forms, the applicant contemplates the various aspects of theinvention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the applicantreserves the right to pursue additional claims after filing thisapplication to pursue such additional claim forms, in either thisapplication or in a continuing application.

We claim:
 1. A method in a computing system having at least oneprocessor for recycling an electronic device at a consumer-operatedkiosk having a camera, the method comprising: at the electronic device:obtaining information about the electronic device via a softwareapplication, wherein the information includes an identifier of theelectronic device; when, as determined by the at least one processor,the information is sufficient to determine a price for the electronicdevice: determining the price for the electronic device, based on anevaluation of the information by the at least one processor; recordingthe price and the identifier; and causing the price to be presented to auser via the software application; and at the kiosk: receiving theidentifier; when, as verified by the at least one processor, theelectronic device associated with the identifier is at the kiosk:performing a visual inspection of the electronic device using thecamera; determining whether the condition of the electronic device isacceptable, based on the visual inspection; and if the condition of theelectronic device is acceptable, offering the price for the electronicdevice.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is a usedmobile telecommunication device.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the atleast one processor includes one or more of a processor of theelectronic device, a processor of the kiosk, and a processor of a servercomputer.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising, receiving theinformation about the electronic device from the electronic device at aremote server computer, wherein determining a price for the electronicdevice includes transmitting information remotely from the servercomputer to the electronic device.
 5. The method of claim 1 whereinperforming a visual inspection of the electronic device using the cameraincludes causing the software application to display information or avisual pattern on a screen of the electronic device, such that thecamera can photograph the displayed information or visual pattern. 6.The method of claim 1, further comprising, if the condition of theelectronic device at the kiosk is unacceptable, determining a price tooffer for the electronic device based on the visual inspection.
 7. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the information about the electronic deviceincludes user accessibility information, and further comprising, at thekiosk, providing a user accessible interface based on the useraccessibility information.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein determiningwhether the condition of the electronic device is acceptable includesdetermining whether the state of the electronic device at the kiosk issubstantially similar to the state of the electronic device when theinformation was obtained at the electronic device.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising receiving electronic device location datavia the software application, wherein the location data indicateswhether the electronic device has been properly submitted at the kiosk.